Zimbabwe: Three African leaders met Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and the main opposition leader yesterday in a push to resolve the country's political and economic crisis, but there was little sign of a breakthrough.
Mr Mugabe (79), who last month hinted he may be ready to retire after 23 years in power, met privately with South African President Thabo Mbeki, Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo and Malawi's President Bakili Muluzi at State House in Harare.
The three then met Mr Morgan Tsvangirai of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) but there was no mention, at least in public, of the suggestion mooted by analysts and media of seeking a way for Mr Mugabe to step down with dignity.
"On both sides we saw one common factor: earnestness for negotiations to be resumed," Mr Obasanjo told reporters.
"Somebody said 'Look, it appears as if this country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder'. That might be an exaggeration, but things are definitely bad," added Mr Obasanjo, who was re-elected last month in polls criticised by monitors.
Once one of southern Africa's most prosperous countries, Zimbabwe has seen its economy all but collapse with fuel shortages, inflation well over 200 per cent and half the population of 14 million facing acute food shortages.
Mr Mugabe has blamed sabotage by Western states incensed over his seizure of white-owned farms to give to landless blacks.
South African officials said the one-day visit sought to facilitate dialogue between Mr Mugabe and the MDC, which accuses the veteran leader of a harsh political crackdown amid Zimbabwe's worst crisis since independence from Britain in 1980.
Mr Mugabe stuck to his demand that before any talks the MDC drop its legal challenge to his 2002 re-election, which was dismissed by some Western governments as rigged.
"The MDC said they don't recognise me alongside the British, the Americans and the Europeans.
"Does the MDC now say they recognise me? That is the issue," he told reporters.
Analysts say MDC recognition of Mr Mugabe's legitimacy could allow him a face-saving retirement before the next presidential elections scheduled for 2008. - (Reuters)