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Zimbabwe party mulls Mugabe role Zimbabwe party mulls Mugabe role
(about 2 hours later)
Leaders of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF are expected to meet on Friday to decide whether President Robert Mugabe should stand for re-election next year. Leaders of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party have started a meeting to decide whether President Robert Mugabe should stand for re-election next year.
Mr Mugabe has made it clear he wants to remain in office.Mr Mugabe has made it clear he wants to remain in office.
But he is under increasing pressure from Zanu-PF factions to stand down to end the political and economic crisis.But he is under increasing pressure from Zanu-PF factions to stand down to end the political and economic crisis.
On Thursday, southern African leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.On Thursday, southern African leaders agreed that South African President Thabo Mbeki should try to promote political dialogue inside Zimbabwe.
In their communique, the leaders expressed solidarity with Mr Mugabe, urged western countries to lift sanctions and called on the UK to pay for land reform.In their communique, the leaders expressed solidarity with Mr Mugabe, urged western countries to lift sanctions and called on the UK to pay for land reform.
Correspondents say this kind of language would have been music to Mr Mugabe's ears.Correspondents say this kind of language would have been music to Mr Mugabe's ears.
HAVE YOUR SAY The problem with these African leaders is that they fear Mugabe and employ a quiet diplomacy Henry, Harare Send us your comments Zimbabwe's leader said it had been an "excellent meeting".HAVE YOUR SAY The problem with these African leaders is that they fear Mugabe and employ a quiet diplomacy Henry, Harare Send us your comments Zimbabwe's leader said it had been an "excellent meeting".
The European Union and US sanctions are a travel ban and an assets freeze on the Mr Mugabe and his close allies, yet Mr Mugabe blames them for causing Zimbabwe's economic woes.The European Union and US sanctions are a travel ban and an assets freeze on the Mr Mugabe and his close allies, yet Mr Mugabe blames them for causing Zimbabwe's economic woes.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is disappointed with the outcome of the meeting - it says the problems are Mr Mugabe's economic mismanagement and human rights abuses.The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is disappointed with the outcome of the meeting - it says the problems are Mr Mugabe's economic mismanagement and human rights abuses.
The secretary general of one MDC faction, Tendai Biti, said it did not want dialogue with Mr Mugabe but agreed to talk to other Zanu-PF leaders.The secretary general of one MDC faction, Tendai Biti, said it did not want dialogue with Mr Mugabe but agreed to talk to other Zanu-PF leaders.
"We consider Mugabe to be the author of [recent] violence and he can't be part of that dialogue. He is part of the past," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."We consider Mugabe to be the author of [recent] violence and he can't be part of that dialogue. He is part of the past," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
He also pointed out that Mr Mbeki had previously been tasked with ending Zimbabwe's crisis, to little effect.He also pointed out that Mr Mbeki had previously been tasked with ending Zimbabwe's crisis, to little effect.
Poor harvestPoor harvest
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles say Mr Mugabe has never looked as isolated as he is at present.BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles say Mr Mugabe has never looked as isolated as he is at present.
Friday's meeting of Zanu-PF's Central Committee brings together about 200 of the ruling party's most important decision-makers. In the knowledge that presidential elections are due a year from now, there is intense lobbying going on within Zanu-PF, our correspondent says.
Summit disappoints critics Profile: Emmerson Mnangagwa Profile: The Mujuru couple In the knowledge that presidential elections are due a year from now, there is intense lobbying going on within Zanu-PF, our correspondent says. Summit disappoints critics Profile: Emmerson Mnangagwa Profile: The Mujuru couple President Mugabe at first suggested extending his term in office until 2010 but he later said the elections could be held as scheduled - and said he could stand himself.
President Mugabe has said he wants to remain in power. The 245 members of his party's Central Committee are to decide whether the elections should be postponed.
But he may only have support from around a third of the membership of his party's Central Committee, says the BBC's Peter Biles.
Two top Zanu-PF power-brokers are believed to want to contest the elections instead of Mr Mugabe.Two top Zanu-PF power-brokers are believed to want to contest the elections instead of Mr Mugabe.
They are former armed forces commander Solomon Mujuru - or his wife Joyce, Zimbabwe vice-president - and former Security Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.They are former armed forces commander Solomon Mujuru - or his wife Joyce, Zimbabwe vice-president - and former Security Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa.
But it is not clear if either will stand up and directly challenge Mr Mugabe at the meeting.But it is not clear if either will stand up and directly challenge Mr Mugabe at the meeting.
Zimbabwe's economy is in meltdown, with inflation of 1,700% and widespread poverty and unemployment.Zimbabwe's economy is in meltdown, with inflation of 1,700% and widespread poverty and unemployment.
On Thursday, UN humanitarian director Rashid Khalikov said that 1.4 million Zimbabweans would need food aid this year, as harvests were only due to meet one-third of the country's requirements.On Thursday, UN humanitarian director Rashid Khalikov said that 1.4 million Zimbabweans would need food aid this year, as harvests were only due to meet one-third of the country's requirements.