Mbeki backs Zimbabwe 'dialogue'

Mbeki wants Mugabe back in the international community

South African leader Thabo Mbeki has held talks in Zimbabwe with President Mugabe and opposition leaders.

There was no official word on the outcome of the talks but Mr Mbeki was reported to have again backed dialogue as the way to resolve Zimbabwe's political crisis.

The visit follows Zimbabwe's withdrawal from the Commonwealth earlier this month after member states decided to extend Zimbabwe's suspension.

Mr Mbeki wants Mr Mugabe to be accepted back into the international community.

Zimbabwe's economy has shrunk by about 40% in the past four years, according to the International Monetary Fund.

About two thirds of the population face food shortages, and the country suffers from one of the highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection in the world.

Zimbabwe has become increasingly isolated as President Robert Mugabe has clashed with foreign governments and international organisations.

Dialogue

Mr Mbeki spent about four hours at Mr Mugabe's official residence, before meeting leaders of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

MDC Secretary-General Welshman Ncube said Mr Mbeki called for more dialogue between the MDC and the Government.

"In his view, it was imperative that both parties met as soon as possible for a resolution of the Zimbabwe crisis and we agreed with him," he said.

Officials from the ruling Zanu-PF Party and the MDC have been discussing renewing a formal dialogue after talks between the MDC and the Government broke down last year.

Mr Mugabe told reporters the informal talks "haven't gone far enough" yet for dialogue to resume.

'Quiet diplomacy'

On arrival at Harare international airport, Mr Mbeki said South Africa and Zimbabwe would continue to help each other with their problems.

"President Mugabe can assist us to confront the problems we have in South Africa so that we can assist you to solve the problems that face Zimbabwe."

South Africa - which has mediated between President Mugabe and his critics - has argued that bringing Zimbabwe back into the international fold is the best way of solving the political and economic crisis there.

Mr Mbeki has pursued a policy of "quiet diplomacy" towards Zimbabwe, which has been ostracised by much of the international community for what it says is Mr Mugabe's political repression and corruption.

The BBC's Barnaby Philips in Johannesburg says the South African Government is on the defensive over its refusal to condemn human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, but President Mbeki says his policy will not change.

He is, however, under pressure to show that his quiet diplomacy is effective, our correspondent says.