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Unity government call in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe ruling party wins seat
(11 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper has called for the establishment of a transitional government headed by President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe's ruling party has been confirmed as the winner of the first of 23 constituencies to complete a recount of votes after March's election.
It says political tensions following last month's presidential election make it impossible to hold a free and fair run-off in the near future. The electoral commission said Zanu-PF retained its parliamentary seat in Goromonzi West.
The electoral commission has still not issued the results of the poll. The Movement for Democratic Change has dismissed the recount as an attempt to rig the election and overturn its parliamentary majority.
But it says the ruling Zanu-PF party has won the first of 23 seats to complete a recount, the Herald reports. The results of the presidential election have still not been announced.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF has distanced itself from an article in a Zimbabwean state-owned newspaper calling for a power-sharing government.
Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC that Zanu-PF was preparing for a second round in the presidential election.
The opposition says its candidate, Morgan Tsvangarai, won March's presidential vote outright.The opposition says its candidate, Morgan Tsvangarai, won March's presidential vote outright.
But the electoral commission says it cannot publish the official results until it completes a recount of presidential and parliamentary votes in a number of disputed constituencies. But the electoral commission says it cannot publish the official results until it completes the recount of presidential and parliamentary votes in the 23 disputed constituencies.
The Herald said the electoral commission had confirmed Zanu-PF's victory in Goromonzi West, one of only two constituencies where the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had requested a recount. Goromonzi West was one of only two constituencies where the MDC requested a recount and according to the commission, Zanu-PF actually picked up just one extra vote following the recount to be confirmed as the winning party.
According to the commission, Zanu-PF actually picked up just one extra vote and confirmed it as the winning party.
Policy shift?Policy shift?
The opinion piece in The Herald says other Southern African countries should act as mediators between the government and opposition, to form a unity government which could organise new elections and write a new constitution.The opinion piece in The Herald says other Southern African countries should act as mediators between the government and opposition, to form a unity government which could organise new elections and write a new constitution.

ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been under fire over March's disputed elections. His neighbours have been supportive but regional differences are now emerging.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been under fire over March's disputed elections. His neighbours have been supportive but regional differences are now emerging.
South Africa's President Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC, and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.South Africa's President Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC, and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.
Zambian President Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. His call for Africa not to let a ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe dock will outrage President Mugabe.Zambian President Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. His call for Africa not to let a ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe dock will outrage President Mugabe.
Angola's government has close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling party - both came to power after fighting colonial rule in the 1970s.Angola's government has close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling party - both came to power after fighting colonial rule in the 1970s.
Botswana is not seen as an ally of Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai fled here after polls.Botswana is not seen as an ally of Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai fled here after polls.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it too is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers.Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it too is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and is unlikely to criticise him.Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and is unlikely to criticise him.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were sometimes assaulted during farm invasions.Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were sometimes assaulted during farm invasions.
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It also says the West must lift economic sanctions. It says political tensions following last month's presidential election make it impossible to hold a free and fair run-off in the near future. It also says the West must lift economic sanctions.
The unity government would be headed by Mr Mugabe.The unity government would be headed by Mr Mugabe.
It may be too soon to suggest that the article represents a significant shift in party policy, says the BBC's Peter Greste in Johannesburg, but it may well reflect a strand of thought within Zanu-PF.It may be too soon to suggest that the article represents a significant shift in party policy, says the BBC's Peter Greste in Johannesburg, but it may well reflect a strand of thought within Zanu-PF.
Mr Tsvangarai's MDC accuses supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF of voter intimidation and beatings ahead of an expected second round.Mr Tsvangarai's MDC accuses supporters of the ruling Zanu-PF of voter intimidation and beatings ahead of an expected second round.
Post-election violence in Zimbabwe has displaced 3,000 people, injured 500 and left 10 dead, according to MDC secretary general Tendai Biti.Post-election violence in Zimbabwe has displaced 3,000 people, injured 500 and left 10 dead, according to MDC secretary general Tendai Biti.
Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa denied anyone had died in political violence. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa has denied anyone has died in political violence.
The leader of the governing ANC in South Africa, Jacob Zuma, is refusing to blame Mr Mugabe for the violence.The leader of the governing ANC in South Africa, Jacob Zuma, is refusing to blame Mr Mugabe for the violence.
Speaking to the BBC during a visit to London, Mr Zuma said the violence in Zimbabwe was unacceptable, but he wasn't prepared to judge individuals.Speaking to the BBC during a visit to London, Mr Zuma said the violence in Zimbabwe was unacceptable, but he wasn't prepared to judge individuals.
He also refused to criticise President Thabo Mbeki's "softly softly" approach as mediator.He also refused to criticise President Thabo Mbeki's "softly softly" approach as mediator.
"We are doing something more than anybody else in reality... other people are doing absolutely nothing.""We are doing something more than anybody else in reality... other people are doing absolutely nothing."