Zimbabwe parliament to reconvene

Power-sharing talks have not produced any solid agreement

Zimbabwe's parliament will open next week, officials say, despite no deal being reached on power-sharing.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which won a majority in March's parliamentary election, says it is not opposed to the opening of parliament.

But it said it would oppose any move by President Robert Mugabe, leader of the Zanu-PF party, to appoint a cabinet.

The two parties have been trying to thrash out a deal to share power, but have so far failed to agree terms.

Parliamentary clerk Austin Zvoma told state TV that parliament would be convened on Monday or Tuesday.

"The preparations for the swearing in of members of the seventh parliament [since independence] are at an advanced stage," AFP news agency quoted him as saying.

Power dispute

The Zanu-PF party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since 1980 - taking 99 seats to the MDC's 100 in the lower House of Assembly.

PARLIAMENTARY SEATS House of Assembly * MDC Tsvangirai: 100 * Zanu-PF: 99 * MDC Mutambara: 10 * Independent: 1 Senate * Zanu-PF: 30 * MDC Tsvangirai: 24 * MDC Mutambara: 6

But the main MDC, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, will rely on the backing of an MDC breakaway faction to preserve its majority.

A cabinet is usually formed shortly after parliament reopens, but the MDC is adamant Mr Mugabe should not be allowed to form a government.

MDC spokesman Tapiwa Mashakada told Reuters such a move would be "against the letter and spirit" of an agreement both sides had signed to hold power-sharing talks.

Mr Tsvangirai finished ahead of Mr Mugabe in the first round of presidential elections, which were also held in March.

But he pulled out of the run-off vote in June, citing a campaign of violence against his supporters.

Mr Mugabe went on to win the vote unopposed, with critics and the MDC accusing him of stealing the election.

The two leaders have been holding power-sharing talks since mid-July, but have so far failed to reach a deal.

The negotiations appear to have stalled on the issue of who should hold executive power.

Correspondents say Mr Tsvangirai agreed to take on a beefed-up prime minister's post, with Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role as president.

But Mr Mugabe is believed to have rejected the proposal.