Optimistic Mugabe opens parliament

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe opened parliament in defiance of opposition objections yesterday, but voiced optimism for a power-sharing deal to end political turmoil.

Heckling by parliamentarians from the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) drowned out Mugabe's speech, underscoring the bitterness of the divide. It said reconvening parliament could undermine deadlocked talks.

"Landmark agreements have been concluded, with every expectation that everyone will sign up," said Mugabe, 84, whose ZANU-PF party goes into the new parliament without a majority for the first time since independence from Britain in 1980.