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Zimbabwe constitution step closer Fighting ends Zimbabwe conference
(about 7 hours later)
Zimbabwe is expected to take another step towards the drafting of a new constitution. Zimbabwe has abandoned a conference on a new constitution after fights broke out between rival delegations.
Several thousand politicians and civic leaders are to attend a Stakeholders' Conference in Harare. Supporters of President Robert Mugabe disrupted the meeting by dancing and singing revolutionary songs.
After a public consultation, the new constitution will be put to a referendum, according to the country's power-sharing agreement. Some delegates walked out in protest, others threw water bottles. Riot police had to clear out the Harare venue.
Once a charter is in place Zimbabwe is expected to have another attempt at holding a free and fair election. Thousands of politicians and activists had joined the talks, which were intended as the start of a year of consultations on the issue.
Monday's meeting is supposed to begin the process of consulting the Zimbabwean people about their new constitution. Battle lines
Battle lines drawn A referendum is scheduled for a year's time.
Thousands of representatives from civil society are expected to meet with politicians in Harare to plot the way forward. Once a charter is in place, Zimbabwe is expected to have another attempt at holding a free and fair election.
The battle lines have already been drawn between the two main partners in Zimbabwe's coalition government, which was inaugurated in February. The BBC's Jonah Fisher, in neighbouring South Africa, says the battle lines had already been drawn between the two main partners in the country's power-sharing government.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change is calling for this to be a genuine public process - with ordinary people given a real say in drafting the document.Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change is calling for this to be a genuine public process - with ordinary people given a real say in drafting the document.
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF wants the constitution based on what is called the Kariba Draft, which was drawn up by the parties last year. President Mugabe's Zanu-PF wants the constitution based on what is called the Kariba Draft, which was drawn up by the parties last year.
But that draft's critics it say gives the president too much executive power. But critics of the Kariba document say it gives the president too much executive power.
If all goes according to schedule a period of public consultation will be followed by a referendum on the new constitution this time next year.