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| Zimbabweans hail 'historic' deal | Zimbabweans hail 'historic' deal |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabweans have warmly welcomed a deal setting a framework for talks on the country's political crisis. | Zimbabweans have warmly welcomed a deal setting a framework for talks on the country's political crisis. |
| Residents in Harare and Bulawayo told the BBC they were excited at news of the agreement, saying they hoped it would allow a return to normal life. | Residents in Harare and Bulawayo told the BBC they were excited at news of the agreement, saying they hoped it would allow a return to normal life. |
| The deal says power-sharing talks between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the opposition MDC should be completed within two weeks. | |
| There were conflicting reports about whether talks would begin immediately. | There were conflicting reports about whether talks would begin immediately. |
| The signing ceremony, which MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai described as "historic", was the first time he had met Mr Mugabe in a decade. | |
| The talks, to be held in South Africa, are expected to focus on a possible power-sharing agreement, how to revive Zimbabwe's devastated economy, as well as ending the political violence. | The talks, to be held in South Africa, are expected to focus on a possible power-sharing agreement, how to revive Zimbabwe's devastated economy, as well as ending the political violence. |
| Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai have been locked in a bitter dispute over this year's presidential election. | Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai have been locked in a bitter dispute over this year's presidential election. |
| Following Monday's deal, one resident in the capital, Harare, said Zimbabweans were "looking forward to peace and development". | |
| "I am sure we can continue leading our normal lives again," said another. | |
| In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, journalist Themba Nkosi said both government and opposition supporters were desperate for a return to normal life, wanting schools that had closed during the post-election violence to reopen. | |
| However, some Zimbabwean exiles in South Africa were sceptical about the agreement. | |
| Solomon 'Sox' Chikohwero, Vice-Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum, told the BBC there would only be cause to celebrate once a power-sharing deal was signed. |