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Brown meets Zuma for No 10 talks Brown firm on Zimbabwe sanctions
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and South African President Jacob Zuma are holding talks in Downing Street. Gordon Brown has said sanctions against Zimbabwe should not be lifted until concerns about human rights violations and media restrictions are addressed.
The two are expected to discuss the political situation in Zimbabwe, trade links, climate change and this summer's football world cup in South Africa. After talks with South African President Jacob Zuma, Mr Brown said Zimbabwe must show its commitment to free and fair elections in the future.
President Zuma, who is on a three-day state visit to the UK, has called for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted to help political reconciliation there. President Zuma, on a state visit to the UK, has suggested sanctions should be eased to help Zimbabwe "move forward".
Mr Brown attended a banquet given by The Queen for Mr Zuma on Wednesday. The PM also praised preparations for this year's World Cup in South Africa.
Key issues He urged South Africa to use the "impetus and momentum" of the tournament to ensure that every child in the country could have access to primary education.
At the event, also attended by senior British ministers and opposition leaders, the Queen praised South Africa's successful journey of "liberation and democratic renewal" over the past 20 years. During talks in London, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues including the global economy, trade links, climate change and nuclear non-proliferation.
President Zuma and his third wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, were greeted by Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at No 10 on Thursday morning ahead of about thirty minutes of talks. 'Supporting progress'
The two leaders are currently holding a news conference. The two men sought to present a united front on Zimbabwe, with the prime minister praising South Africa's role in helping bring "stability and change" to its neighbour.
Thursday's meeting is likely to be dominated by questions over Zimbabwe and impact of the global economic downturn on Africa.
Prior to arriving in the UK, President Zuma said the lifting of international sanctions against Zimbabwe could help the country to "move forward" and resolve outstanding political differences.
President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government last year but remain deadlocked over key appointments while the upcoming trial of a political ally of Mr Tsvangirai's for treason has raised tensions.President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government last year but remain deadlocked over key appointments while the upcoming trial of a political ally of Mr Tsvangirai's for treason has raised tensions.
The international community maintains that sanctions are still needed to keep pressure on President Mugabe to live up to his commitments to political and economic reform. The EU maintains sanctions are still needed to keep pressure on President Mugabe to live up to his commitments on political and economic reform but Mr Zuma has said their lifting could help the country resolve outstanding political differences.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss preparations for this summer's World Cup in South Africa, with thousands of British supporters set to travel to the country to watch the tournament. Mr Brown said sanctions targeted individuals with a history of supporting violence not ordinary Zimbabweans.
Later on Thursday, President Zuma will visit the site of the 2012 Olympics in London as well as anti-racism and crime reduction projects in the capital. It was "vital" that commissions set up by the government to increase protection for human rights and freedom of speech and to support democratic institutions concluded their work quickly, he said.
"The UK has always said we are ready to support progress on the ground," he said. "But we must be absolutely sure that progress is being made. We must be moving from what is a unity, transitional government to free and fair elections."
President Zuma said he was "very positive" progress was being made in Zimbabwe and the international community had a "better understanding" of what was happening in the country.
The two leaders also discussed preparations for this summer's football World Cup in South Africa, with thousands of British supporters set to travel to the country to watch the tournament.
President Zuma will later visit the site of the 2012 Olympics in London as well as anti-racism and crime reduction projects in the capital.