Representatives of Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties have begun power-sharing talks in South Africa, an official there has said.
The talks began after the arrival of the four Mbeki meets Mugabe, snubbed by Tsvangirai ...
Mbeki in Harare for crisis talks ...
Botswana denounces Mugabe victory ... main negotiators from Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.
They follow a deal between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The talks, slated to last two weeks, are intended to end a crisis, following disputed presidential elections.
President Mugabe signed a memorandum of understanding with Mr Tsvangirai on Monday, paving the way for the talks.
It was their first meeting in a decade.
Both men claim to have won this year's elections.
Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), won the first round in March, but official results gave him less than the 50% required for outright victory.
Mr Mugabe then claimed victory in the second round after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out, complaining of a campaign of violence against his supporters.
The start of the talks on Thursday was confirmed by a spokesman for South African President Thabo Mbeki, who has been leading mediation over Zimbabwe.
The deal bans parties from talking to the media and there had been conflicting reports about when negotiations would start.
(BBC)
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