Southern African leaders are attending a two-day summit in Johannesburg, with hopes that stalled talks on Zimbabwe's power-sharing may resume.
Southern African leaders are attending a two-day summit in Johannesburg, with hopes that stalled talks on Zimbabwe's power-sharing may resume.
The Sadc gathering is being chaired by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been mediating in the talks.
The gathering is being chaired by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been mediating in the talks.
Opening the summit, Mr Mbeki said he hoped Zimbabwe's rival leaders would clinch a deal in Johannesburg.
Both Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are at the summit.
Both Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are at the summit.
But Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama has refused to attend because of Mr Mugabe's presence.
However, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama has refused to attend because of Mr Mugabe's presence.
Botswana's government said he did not want the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to give legitimacy to the widely condemned second round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in June, in which Mr Mugabe was the only candidate.
We knew negotiations would be difficult, but a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai
Botswana's government says he does not want the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) to give legitimacy to the widely condemned second round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in June, in which Mr Mugabe was the only candidate.
South Africa's trade unions, Cosatu, are planning to lead a march in protest at Mr Mugabe's participation in the Johannesburg meeting.
South Africa's trade unions, Cosatu, are planning to lead a march in protest at Mr Mugabe's participation in the Johannesburg meeting.
Sadc leaders are also discussing efforts to fight poverty through regional development and cross-border co-operation.
They are expected to announce a free-trade agreement on Sunday.
Passport seized
Passport seized
President Mbeki is expected to brief his fellow heads of state on the power-sharing negotiations in Zimbabwe at the summit.
"This summit affords us the possibility to assist the Zimbabwean parties to finalise their negotiations so that together they can engage the work to achieve national healing and reconciliation," Mr Mbeki said.
"I'm certain that the millions of Zimbabweans, both inside and outside Zimbabwe, await with great expectations and high hopes a positive outcome from our deliberations."
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Robert Mugabe arrives for the talks
Robert Mugabe arrives for the talks
Before the meeting, the South African leader held talks separately with Mr Mugabe, Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Arthur Mutambara, head of a breakaway MDC faction.
Before the meeting, Mr Mbeki held talks separately with Mr Mugabe, Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and Arthur Mutambara, head of a breakaway MDC faction.
A spokesman for the Zimbabwean President, Patrick Chinamasa, has said negotiations will resume on the margins of the summit.
A spokesman for the Zimbabwean president, Patrick Chinamasa, has said negotiations will resume on the margins of the summit.
Mr Chinamasa told Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper that there was increasing pressure within the country to convene parliament and form a new government.
Mr Chinamasa told Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper that there was increasing pressure within the country to convene parliament and form a new government.
"We cannot continue wandering around without direction," he said.
"We cannot continue wandering around without direction," he said.
But an aide to Mr Tsvangirai insisted prospects for any further talks at the summit depended "on the sincerity of Robert Mugabe".
But an aide to Mr Tsvangirai insisted prospects for any further talks at the summit depended "on the sincerity of Robert Mugabe".
We knew negotiations would be difficult, but a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai
The MDC leader arrived in Johannesburg on Friday after being temporarily stopped from flying when his passport was briefly confiscated at Harare airport. The Zimbabwe government refused to comment on the incident.
The MDC leader arrived in Johannesburg on Friday after being temporarily stopped from flying when his passport was briefly confiscated at Harare airport. The Zimbabwe government refused to comment on the incident.
Sticking points
Mr Mbeki said the power-sharing talks in Harare were adjourned on Tuesday to allow Mr Tsvangirai time for reflection.
Mr Mbeki said the power-sharing talks in Harare were adjourned on Tuesday to allow Mr Tsvangirai time for reflection.
Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of Zimbabwe's run-off presidential election
Mr Mbeki also denied that there was a breakdown in negotiations after reports that Mr Mutambara had signed a separate deal with Mr Mugabe.
Mr Mbeki also denied that there was a breakdown in negotiations after reports that Mr Mutambara had signed a separate deal with Mr Mugabe.
Mr Tsvangirai warned that "a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country".
Mr Tsvangirai warned that "a resolution that represents anything other than the will of the Zimbabwean people would be a disaster for our country".
The MDC leader finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of the presidential election in March and the party also won a majority in parliamentary elections.
The MDC leader finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of the presidential election in March and the party also won a majority in parliamentary elections.
But Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the second round of the presidential election, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters.
But Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of the second round of the presidential election, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters.
Sticking points in the power-sharing talks are reported to include:
the balance of power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai
the makeup of any coalition cabinet
control of Zimbabwe's security forces
the possibility of an amnesty over post-election violence
Sticking points in the power-sharing talks are reported to include:
the balance of power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai
the makeup of any coalition cabinet
control of Zimbabwe's security forces
the possibility of an amnesty over post-election violence
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Johannesburg says Zimbabwe's problems have spilled far beyond its borders, so fears that Sadc leaders have about its economic freefall and political deadlock are much more than just neighbourly concern.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Johannesburg says Zimbabwe's problems have spilled far beyond its borders, so fears that Sadc leaders have about its economic freefall and political deadlock are much more than just neighbourly concern.
Mr Mbeki pushed government and opposition leaders for three long days this week, but a power sharing deal remains elusive and his approach will once again be under scrutiny, our correspondent says.
Mr Mbeki pushed government and opposition leaders for three long days this week, but a power sharing deal remains elusive and his approach will once again be under scrutiny, our correspondent says.
We don't think it's proper to sit around with somebody who has not been elected by the people Phandu SkelemaniBotswana Foreign Minister
We don't think it's proper to sit around with somebody who has not been elected by the people Phandu SkelemaniBotswana Foreign Minister
There are many who think Mr Mbeki, who continues to pursue what he calls a policy of "quiet diplomacy", just has not pushed his Zimbabwean counterpart hard enough, he adds.
There are many who think Mr Mbeki, who continues to pursue what he calls a policy of "quiet diplomacy", just has not pushed his Zimbabwean counterpart hard enough, he adds.
Mr Mbeki has said he is determined to reach a deal and has promised to stay in Zimbabwe for six months to get one if necessary.
Mr Mbeki has said he is determined to reach a deal and has promised to stay in Zimbabwe for six months to get one if necessary.
Correspondents say Botswana's unprecedented move shows mounting opposition to Mr Mugabe's rule among Zimbabwe's neighbours.
Correspondents say Botswana's unprecedented move shows mounting opposition to Mr Mugabe's rule among Zimbabwe's neighbours.
Its government said Mr Mugabe should not be allowed to attend Sadc gatherings until his Zanu-PF party reached a settlement with opposition groups.
Its government said Mr Mugabe should not be allowed to attend Sadc gatherings until his Zanu-PF party reached a settlement with opposition groups.
"We agree with the mediation, but we don't think that people who are in these negotiations... should be attending as if they have won an election," Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani told the BBC.
"We agree with the mediation, but we don't think that people who are in these negotiations... should be attending as if they have won an election," Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani told the BBC.
Sadc Executive Secretary Tomaz Salomao said he respected Botswana's decision, but insisted the remaining 13 members could still make binding decisions.
Sadc Executive Secretary Tomaz Salomao said he respected Botswana's decision, but insisted the remaining 13 members could still make binding decisions.
Are you in the region? Do you think the summit lead to a breakthrough in Zimbabwe? Send us your views and experiences using the form below:
Are you in the region? Do you think the summit lead to a breakthrough in Zimbabwe? Send us your views and experiences using the form below:
