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South African president arrives in Zimbabwe

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-06 15:12

HARARE  -- South African President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Zimbabwe on Saturday and was expected to hold talks with President Robert Mugabe, the state-run New Ziana reported.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe attends his inauguration at State House in Harare, June 29, 2008. [Agencies]

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) has appointed the South African leader as mediator in the inter-party political dialogue between the government and the opposition.

He was earlier this week endorsed by the African Union to continue in his role as mediator in Zimbabwe to broker a negotiated settlement of the differences between the government and the opposition.

Related readings:  US introduces draft UN resolution on Zimbabwe sanctions  Zimbabwe dismisses Kenya-style coalition  Mugabe seeks boost at summit  Zimbabwe President Mugabe sworn in for new term

But the Zimbabwean government has made it clear the opposition would have to accept Mugabe's re-election in the June 27 presidential run-off poll, for the talks to proceed.

Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the bigger faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change faction, wants his victory in the first round of the election on March 29, to be the basis of negotiations, a position the government has ruled out.

Tsvangirai received a leading number of votes, immediately followed by Mugabe, in the March 29 presidential election, but failed to win outright.

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa acknowledges the crowds before his meeting with Zimbabwean Predident Robert Mugabe in Bulawayo, June 18, 2008. [Agencies]

Tsvangirai pulled out of the run-off just a few days before it was held, saying that was mainly because his supporters continued to be attacked by Mugabe's supporters.

Mugabe was sworn in Sunday for a new presidential term, immediately after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declared that he was the winner of the de facto one-man race.

Then he went to Egypt to attend the African Union summit, which adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a unity government in Zimbabwe through dialogue.

The resolution encouraged both sides to live up to pledges to start dialogue to promote peace and stability.