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Zimbabwe rivals 'must compromise' Zimbabwe rivals 'must compromise'
(20 minutes later)
A summit of southern African leaders has told Zimbabwe's rival parties they must reach a compromise to break the country's political deadlock.A summit of southern African leaders has told Zimbabwe's rival parties they must reach a compromise to break the country's political deadlock.
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) must share the disputed home affairs ministry, it said.President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) must share the disputed home affairs ministry, it said.
The call came at the end of a day of talks in Johannesburg by the 15-nation Southern African Development Community.The call came at the end of a day of talks in Johannesburg by the 15-nation Southern African Development Community.
The summit also said it could send peacekeeping forces into the DR Congo.The summit also said it could send peacekeeping forces into the DR Congo.
Mr Mugabe and his MDC rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, signed a power-sharing deal eight weeks ago but have failed to reach an agreement on the formation of a cabinet.Mr Mugabe and his MDC rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, signed a power-sharing deal eight weeks ago but have failed to reach an agreement on the formation of a cabinet.
Meanwhile the country is suffering from food shortages and rampant inflation.Meanwhile the country is suffering from food shortages and rampant inflation.
Mr Tsvangirai has warned that a million Zimbabweans could starve to death in a year if the political deadlock continues.Mr Tsvangirai has warned that a million Zimbabweans could starve to death in a year if the political deadlock continues.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, at the summit, says its call effectively backs Mr Mugabe. The summit was chaired by South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, who said the power-sharing agreement "remains the only vehicle to help extricate Zimbabwe from her socio-economic challenges".
MDC unhappy
Tomaz Salomao, executive secretary of the SADC, said the compromise would mean there would have to be two home ministers, "one appointed by Zanu-PF, one by the MDC".
Correspondents say the move effectively backs Mr Mugabe
Mr Salomao told reporters that "the SADC was asked to rule and SADC took a decision and that's the position of SADC".
"Now it's up to the parties to implement," he said.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher, at the summit, says the call effectively backs Mr Mugabe.
Our correspondent says Mr Mugabe has accepted the deal but that Mr Tsvangirai was very disappointed and unhappy at the statement.Our correspondent says Mr Mugabe has accepted the deal but that Mr Tsvangirai was very disappointed and unhappy at the statement.
The summit was chaired by South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, who also backed called for an immediate ceasefire in the DR Congo, where rebel fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people. The summit also backed an immediate ceasefire in the DR Congo, where rebel fighting has displaced tens of thousands of people.
"We firmly believe that there is no military solution to the problem," said Mr Motlanthe. SADC leaders issued a communique saying they would "not stand by and witness any destructive acts of violence by any armed groups".
"The security situation in DRC is affecting peace and stability in the SADC and Great Lakes region," the group said, adding that it had agreed to send peacekeeping troops into the Congo if necessary.
Mr Motlanthe had earlier told the summit that there was "no military solution" to the problem.