Soros criticises Mbeki's policy on Zimbabwe

The international financier and philanthropist, George Soros, has criticised the South African President, Thabo Mbeki, over his policy towards Zimbabwe.

In an interview with a South African newspaper the Independent on Sunday Mr Soros said Mr Mbeki had helped keep President Robert Mugabe in power in Zimbabwe and this was damaging South Africa.

During a visit to Johannesburg, the financier told the newspaper that Mr Mbeki's policy of "quiet diplomacy" with Mr Mugabe had failed.

Correspondents say Mr Soros has spent about forty million dollars on development projects in South Africa over the past seven years.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service