Zim leaders upbeat over mediation talks

Photos Zimbabwe's bickering leaders were upbeat on Wednesday about talks brokered by South African President Jacob Zuma to help resolve differences in their power-sharing government. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and former opposition leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government last year to end a stalemate over disputed elections and try to end a crisis that helped drag Zimbabwe into economic ruin. The deal has stabilised the economy but squabbling within the fragile alliance over policy and the slow pace of reforms have held back progress and stood in the way of fresh elections. Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai were positive after talking separately with Zuma in a central Harare hotel, and all the parties were due to meet on Thursday. "It went very well as usual," Mugabe told reporters at the hotel. "We have just started, discussions are going very well. We are very happy and there are no controversies." Asked how his meeting went, Tsvangirai said: "Very well, but why don't you wait until we have concluded." 'It will not be the end of the matter' Zuma was appointed to mediate in the crisis by the Southern African Development Community, taking over from former South African president Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the original deal in late 2008. Tsvangirai's Movement For Democratic Change boycotted Cabinet meetings late last year due to the dispute over the implementation of the deal. ... ...

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