Zimbabwe parties unaware of talks

Mugabe has insisted that the MDC recognise him as president

Zimbabwe's political parties have told the BBC that they are unaware of talks, which South African President Thabo Mbeki says they have agreed to.

Mr Mbeki said that President Robert Mugabe had agreed to hold formal talks with the opposition to try to solve the country's political impasse.

But a senior official of Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party told BBC News Online he could not confirm this reported change of position.

And a leading figure of the opposition MDC also said it was news to him.

Mr Mugabe has previously insisted that the MDC drop their legal challenge to his controversial 2002 election victory before any formal talks were held.

Shouting match

"I'm happy to say that they have agreed now that they will go into formal negotiations," South Africa's president told a joint news conference with visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Tsvangirai says that Zanu-PF framed him

Mr Mbeki has been trying to mediate between Zimbabwe's political rivals and has been accused of being too soft on Mr Mugabe.

But Zanu-PF external affairs secretary Didymus Mutasa said: "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."

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is currently on trial, accused of trying to have Mr Mugabe assassinated.

On Wednesday, he said that he had been led into using the word "elimination" by a political consultant employed by Zanu-PF.

"I was using the word 'elimination' after it had been explained to me that it means the president would not participate in the elections," he said.

Ari Ben-Menashe recorded the discussion on a video tape, which forms the basis of the prosecution case.