Regional leaders in fresh mediation bid in Zimbabwe

President Robert MugabeJohannesburg - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are to meet for talks under regional mediation Monday, four months after the two signed a power- sharing deal that has failed to materialize.

The office of South African President Kgalema Motlanthe confirmed late Thursday that he would lead a delegation from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to Zimbabwe.

Motlanthe's predecessor Thabo Mbeki, SADC's official mediator in Zimbabwe, as well as Mozambican President Armando Guebuza would also take part in the latest attempt at getting the two parties to settle their differences.

During a visit to South Africa on Monday, Tsvangirai expressed his mistrust of Mugabe, saying he did not regard the long-term Zimbabwean leader as a "credible partner."

Tsvangirai also asked Motlanthe to mediate.

In September, Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF and Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) agreed to form a government of unity following disputed elections.

But, the two sides have failed to agree on issues such as the distribution of ministries in the new government.

Tsvangirai is also insisting on the release of dozens of MDC supporters, who were detained by police in recent months and allegedly tortured.

Zimbabwe is facing its worse economic and humanitarian crisis, for which Mugabe has largely been blamed. (dpa)

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