Summit to tackle Zimbabwe crisis

There have been several rounds of failed talks on Zimbabwe

Regional leaders will hold a summit on Sunday in the latest effort to break the political deadlock in Zimbabwe, officials have said.

Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) are due to meet in neighbouring South Africa.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a deal to share power in September, after disputed elections.

But the deal has stalled over the allocation of ministries.

Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says President Mugabe and his party, Zanu-PF, are trying to grab the important ministries.

The key sticking point at the latest round of talks was control of the home affairs ministry, which is responsible for the police.

"We are expecting the equitable distribution of key ministries," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said of the weekend's talks.

"The people are suffering and we should start acting to make sure we alleviate the problems facing the people."

Zimbabwe is facing severe food shortages and rampant inflation.

A spokesman for South Africa's government said Sunday's summit would also discuss recent fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.