South African president Thabo Mbeki met Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe today amid growing signs of international impatience with the Zimbabwean leader over a violent election crisis.
Mr Mugabe faces a presidential election run-off on June 27th against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and stands accused by opponents, Western countries and human rights groups of orchestrating a campaign of killings and intimidation.
The head of South Africa's ruling party voiced doubts over whether the vote could be fair, a strong indication that patience was running short with Mr Mugabe in Africa as well as among his traditional Western critics.
Mr Mbeki has led regional mediation efforts in Zimbabwe and has been criticised for his quiet diplomatic approach that has failed to end a political and economic crisis that has driven millions of people into neighbouring states.
The South African president arrived for a meeting with Mr Mugabe at the Zimbabwean ruler's official residence in Zimbabwe's second biggest city, Bulawayo, early this evening.
South Africa's Department of Foreign Affairs said the meeting would be a continuation of Mr Mbeki's mediation under a mandate from regional bloc SADC. Zimbabwe's state-owned Herald newspaper said they would discuss the election and campaigns.
Mr Mbeki earlier met Mr Tsvangirai in Harare, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change said.
Mr Mugabe lost the first round vote to Mr Tsvangirai on March 29th, but the opposition leader did not get the outright majority needed to avoid a second round, according to official results.
In his bluntest language yet on the crisis, African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma criticised the violence that has engulfed Zimbabwe since the March 29th general election.
"I think we'll be lucky if we have a free election," Mr Zuma said, after a speech in the South African capital Pretoria. When asked if he thought the run-off would be fair, Mr Zuma replied "I don't think so."
Mr Mugabe blames his foes for the violence and has threatened to arrest opposition leaders over the troubles. Mr Tsvangirai's party says at least 66 people have been killed by Zanu-PF supporters.
The United States and Britain also accuse Mr Mugabe of trying to intimidate opponents to ensure he keeps his 28-year hold on power.
Meanwhile, US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice will chair an informal UN Security Council meeting tomorrow to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe, council diplomats said today.
Ms Rice will be in New York to chair a formal meeting of the council on the same day to debate a resolution aimed at combating violence against women.
The United States holds the rotating council presidency for this month.
South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and several other foreign ministers are expected to take part in both, diplomats said, though no formal outcome was expected from the Zimbabwe discussions.
A senior UN official, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios, is currently in Zimbabwe to discuss the situation. He met with Mr Mugabe yesterday.