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Deal 'close' for Mugabe to leave Deal 'close' for Mugabe to leave
(20 minutes later)
The outline of a deal has almost been reached for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to step down, opposition sources have told the BBC.The outline of a deal has almost been reached for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to step down, opposition sources have told the BBC.
They say representatives of Mr Mugabe, military chiefs and the opposition have held meetings chaired by South Africa since Saturday's elections.They say representatives of Mr Mugabe, military chiefs and the opposition have held meetings chaired by South Africa since Saturday's elections.
The sources say Mr Mugabe is to give an address to the nation but urge caution until the announcement has been made.The sources say Mr Mugabe is to give an address to the nation but urge caution until the announcement has been made.
The South African government, however, has denied any involvement. Zimbabwe and South Africa's governments denied any negotiations or a deal.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change says it won Saturday's general elections, but results have been slow to emerge.The opposition Movement for Democratic Change says it won Saturday's general elections, but results have been slow to emerge.
Under the proposed deal, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai would be declared the winner of the presidential race after Mr Mugabe had stepped down.Under the proposed deal, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai would be declared the winner of the presidential race after Mr Mugabe had stepped down.
President Mugabe, 84, came to power 28 years ago at independence, but the economy has been in freefall in recent years.President Mugabe, 84, came to power 28 years ago at independence, but the economy has been in freefall in recent years.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has not yet given any results in the presidential race, sparking MDC claims that the outcome was being fixed.The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has not yet given any results in the presidential race, sparking MDC claims that the outcome was being fixed.
BBC correspondent Ian Pannell has spoken to three MDC sources who have confirmed that a deal had almost been reached.BBC correspondent Ian Pannell has spoken to three MDC sources who have confirmed that a deal had almost been reached.
One was 90% sure that this would happen but others were less confident.One was 90% sure that this would happen but others were less confident.
One said she would not believe it completely until she saw it.One said she would not believe it completely until she saw it.
The sources say that Mr Tsvangirai's victory was so overwhelming that Mr Mugabe would have no chance of victory, even in a run-off.The sources say that Mr Tsvangirai's victory was so overwhelming that Mr Mugabe would have no chance of victory, even in a run-off.
Earlier, there had been increasing speculation that a second round would be needed, as no candidate had passed the 50% threshold required for victory.Earlier, there had been increasing speculation that a second round would be needed, as no candidate had passed the 50% threshold required for victory.
Ruling Zanu-PF officials have not yet commented on the reports.
The MDC says that Mr Tsvangirai won 60% of the vote, against 30% for Mr Mugabe.The MDC says that Mr Tsvangirai won 60% of the vote, against 30% for Mr Mugabe.
Parliamentary results released so far show that the MDC has 73 seats, against 67 for Zanu-PF, with 70 still to come.
As he cast his vote on Saturday, Mr Mugabe said:
"If you lose an election and are rejected by the people, it is time to leave politics."