Mugabe downcast over power-sharing talks

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe today gave a downcast assessment of power-sharing negotiations.

Asked as he left today’s session whether the negotiations were going well, Mugabe said: “Not exactly.”

But he added that there will be more talks tomorrow.

Mugabe, his rivals and South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating, have been holding talks at a Harare hotel since yesterday.

Both Mugabe and chief opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai claim to be Zimbabwe’s leader.

The factions differ on what role, if any, Mugabe would have in a coalition.

Mr Tsvangirai has said he could work with moderates from Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party, but not with Mugabe.

Zanu-PF has insisted Mugabe remain president.