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Zimbabwe rival parties sign deal on talks to end crisis

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-22 08:12

HARARE -- Zimbabwe ruling ZANU-PF and the two opposition fractions of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) signed here Monday a deal, paving the way for formal talks to end the political crisis in the country.

South African President Thabo Mbeki oversaw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between President and ZANU-PF leader Robert Mugabe and the leaders of the two MDC factions, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (L) shakes hands with Morgan Tsvangirai (R), leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), in Harare July 21, 2008. Mugabe and Tsvangirai on Monday signed a deal laying down the framework for formal talks on forming a power sharing government to end a deep political crisis. [Agencies]

The MOU envisaged that "the dialogue will be completed within a period of two weeks from the date of signing of this MOU."

It also requires each party to issue a statement condemning the promotion and use of violence and call for peace in the country and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the structures and institutions it controls are not engaged in the perpetration of violence

The signing of the deal made a major breakthrough in the development of ending the southern African country's political crisis.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the signing of the MOU, saying it provides a framework for formal talks to end the political crisis in the country.

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"The secretary-general commends the efforts of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and his mediation team in facilitating the signing of this agreement. The United Nations is committed to support these mediation efforts through its participation in the recently-formed Reference Group," said a statement posted in Ban's official website.

The statement said that the secretary-general encourages all sides to engage, in good faith, in serious talks that would lead to a lasting solution to the political crisis and address the urgent economic and humanitarian needs of the Zimbabwean people.

"The secretary-general also urges the enabling of humanitarian operations in order to allow the provision of assistance to those in dire need," said the statement.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, President Mugabe said his party and the opposition had agreed to amend the country's constitution.

Mugabe also urged negotiations to be held free from influence and pressure from Europe and the United States, which are seeking new sanctions on Zimbabwe.

For his part, Tsvangirai promised that he would act to put the interests of Zimbabwe at the forefront.

Mbeki said the deal committed both sides to an intense process to try to complete substantive negotiations as quickly as possible, adding that all parties involved recognized the urgency to hold the negotiations, which is aimed at ending the political crisis facing the country.

Mugabe was declared winner of the June 27 presidential run-off by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a result rejected by Tsvangirai, who received a leading number of votes in the first round of polls but failed to obtain an absolute majority.

Tsvangirai boycotted the run-off, citing various reasons, including political violence.