Pressure grows for Zimbabwe talks

Obasanjo (l) has been trying to mediate in Zimbabwe's political deadlock

One of the key mediators in Zimbabwe's political impasse has said that the government and opposition have agreed to hold formal talks.

Nigeria's President Olusegun Obasanjo echoed comments made on Thursday by his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki.

However, the opposition MDC say they are not aware of any change in President Robert Mugabe's position.

Mr Mugabe has always insisted that the MDC must accept his 2002 re-election, which they have challenged in court.

"I believe that when they get to talking together formally it should not be too difficult for them to arrive at some agreement," Mr Obasanjo said in London.

Human rights

Don McKinnon, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth said the organisation required "substantive talks" between the MDC and Mr Mugabe's government before Zimbabwe could be readmitted.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says the 2002 elections were rigged

Zimbabwe pulled out of the grouping of former British colonies last December after the Commonwealth extended its suspension due to human rights concerns.

Mr Mbeki and Mr Obasanjo have been leading attempts to solve Zimbabwe's political deadlock

But Zanu-PF external affairs secretary Didymus Mutasa on Thursday told BBC News Online: "The only contact we have had is at parliament, where we shout at each other."

MDC secretary general Welshman Ncube said they had not dropped their legal challenge. About the prospect of talks, he said: "If it is true, we would welcome it."