South Africa Recommends Mbeki Mediation for Zimbabwe

South Africa’s new government has asked immediate former President Thabo Mbeki’s to continue mediating in Zimbabwe’s power sharing deadlock, a proposal immediately rejected by the country’s ruling Zanu-PF. New South African President Kgalema Motlanthe released a statement Thursday saying he has already informed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) of his government's support for Mbeki's continued role in the Zimbabwe crisis. Mbeki brokered a September 15 power sharing accord that would see President Robert Mugabe retain his job while Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai becomes Prime Minister. The unity government is yet to be constituted, with Mugabe’s side intransigently insisting on keeping all the strategic ministries of defence, home affairs, state security and finance. [PE]