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Fighting ends Zimbabwe conference Fighting ends Zimbabwe conference
(18 minutes later)
Zimbabwe has abandoned a conference on a new constitution after fights broke out between rival delegations.Zimbabwe has abandoned a conference on a new constitution after fights broke out between rival delegations.
Supporters of President Robert Mugabe disrupted the meeting by dancing and singing revolutionary songs.Supporters of President Robert Mugabe disrupted the meeting by dancing and singing revolutionary songs.
Some delegates walked out in protest, others threw water bottles. Riot police had to clear out the Harare venue.Some delegates walked out in protest, others threw water bottles. Riot police had to clear out the Harare venue.
Thousands of politicians and activists had joined the talks, which were intended as the start of a year of consultations on the issue.Thousands of politicians and activists had joined the talks, which were intended as the start of a year of consultations on the issue.
A referendum is scheduled for a year's time and once a charter is in place, Zimbabwe is expected to have another attempt at holding a free and fair election.
'Lack of sincerity'
Singing began in the conference venue minutes after parliamentary speaker Lovemore Moyo began his opening remarks.
The two parties are divided over how to frame the constitution
Hundreds of Mugabe supporters then gathered in front of the stage and began chanting revolutionary songs.
Mr Moyo, a member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), left the hall as scuffles broke out between MDC and Zanu-PF backers.
The first session of the All Stakeholders Conference was brought to a halt by the intervention of riot police.
MDC minister Nelson Chamisa said the events demonstrated a lack of sincerity and deficit of good will from Zanu-PF.
Battle linesBattle lines
A referendum is scheduled for a year's time.
Once a charter is in place, Zimbabwe is expected to have another attempt at holding a free and fair election.
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.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 MDC is calling for this to be a genuine public process - with ordinary people given a real say in drafting the document.
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.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 critics of the Kariba document say it gives the president too much executive power.But critics of the Kariba document say it gives the president too much executive power.