Southern African leaders are attending a two-day summit in Johannesburg, with hopes that stalled talks on Zimbabwe's power-sharing may resume.
Differences over Zimbabwe's stalled power-sharing deal have dominated the first day of a summit of southern African nations in Johannesburg.
The gathering is being chaired by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been mediating in the talks.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are at the meeting, which is being chaired by South African President Thabo Mbeki.
Opening the summit, Mr Mbeki said he hoped Zimbabwe's rival leaders would clinch a deal in Johannesburg.
Botswana boycotted the event in protest at Mr Mugabe's presence.
Both Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are at the summit.
Meanwhile, details have emerged of a speech by Mr Tsvangirai, in which he says he would accept the role of PM.
However, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama has refused to attend because of Mr Mugabe's presence.
The Associated Press news agency said it had obtained a leaked copy of the speech given to regional cabinet ministers on the eve of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit.
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
In his proposal for resolving the contentious issue of who would lead any unity government, Mr Tsvangirai said he would accept the post of prime minister, and concede the presidency - and command of the military - to Mr Mugabe.
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.
The details of the speech could not be independently confirmed.
South Africa's trade unions, Cosatu, are planning to lead a march in protest at Mr Mugabe's participation in the Johannesburg meeting.
High hopes
Sadc leaders are also discussing efforts to fight poverty through regional development and cross-border co-operation.
Opening the two-day summit, Mr Mbeki, who has been mediating the Zimbabwe talks, said he hoped Zimbabwe's rival leaders would clinch a deal in Johannesburg.
They are expected to announce a free-trade agreement on Sunday.
Passport seized
"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.
"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.
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
"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."
"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
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.
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, said negotiations would 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.
Meanwhile, Botswana's President Seretse Khama Ian Khama refused to attend because of Mr Mugabe's presence.
"We cannot continue wandering around without direction," he said.
Botswana said it did not want Sadc to give legitimacy to the widely condemned second round of Zimbabwe's presidential election, in which Mr Mugabe was the only candidate.
But an aide to Mr Tsvangirai insisted prospects for any further talks at the summit depended "on the sincerity of Robert Mugabe".
Sadc's executive secretary said he respected Botswana's decision, but insisted the remaining 13 members could still make binding decisions.
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 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.
Sticking points
There are many who think Mr Mbeki, who continues to pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy", has not pushed his Zimbabwean counterpart hard enough, our correspondent says.
South Africa's trade unions, Cosatu, held a march in protest at Mr Mugabe's participation.
Sadc leaders are also discussing efforts to fight poverty through regional development and cross-border co-operation, with a free-trade agreement expected to be announced on Sunday.
Stalled talks
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 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".
Sticking points in the power-sharing talks are reported to include:
the balance of power between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai
the make-up of any coalition cabinet
control of Zimbabwe's security forces
the possibility of an amnesty over post-election violence
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
