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| Zimbabwe leaders say power-sharing deal close
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Rival Zimbabwean leaders said on Wednesday a power-sharing deal, to end months of a tense stand-off, was close after three days of intense negotiations overseen by South African President Thabo Mbeki. |
| Par PANAPRESS |
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The government and opposition have been holding power-sharing talks under Mbeki' s mediation for months to break a leadership deadlock sparked by a disputed presidential poll earlier this year.
After both sides claimed to have won the election, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) appointed Mbeki to mediate in the dispute, offering a Kenya - style government of national unity as a solution to the impasse.
Since Monday, the South African leader has been holding intense negotiations with the rival Zimbabwean politicians to win their endorsement of a draft agreement he brokered three weeks ago under which they would share power.
After Wednesday's meeting, both President Robert Mugabe and his main opposition rival Morgan Tsvangirai said a deal was close, and would possibly be signed on Thursday.
"So far, so good. We will sign it (power-sharing deal) hopefully, hopefully tomorrow (Thursday)," Mugabe said, emerging from the marathon meeting which took hours.
He said there were still a few sticking points, but these were minor and could be overcome.
Tsvangirai, usually guarded in his comments, said he was optimistic of an agreement being reached Thursday.
"We are close, very close," he said. Under the draft agreement, Mugabe would retain the presidency and Tsvangirai become prime minister.
While all along the two rivals had agreed on the positions each would have in a unity government, they differed on the powers they would have.
Mugabe is reported to have wanted to have ultimate control of government, a move Tsvangirai - as prime minister - is resisting.
That was the focus of the intense negotiations since Monday.
Tsvangirai said Mbeki had asked for time to consult his regional SADC counterpar ts and the sides would reconvene Thursday.
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