Opposition may agree to Mugabe talks

Zimbabwe’s main opposition party might sign an agreement as early as Monday to begin substantive talks with President Robert Mugabe’s party on ending a political impasse that has worsened the country’s severe economic crisis, opposition officials said.

The apparent breakthrough came after South African President Thabo Mbeki proposed forming a team drawn from African regional bodies and the United Nations to help him mediate the crisis.

The Movement for Democratic Change has refused to recognize Mugabe’s victory in a June 27 runoff vote held after MDC candidate Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, citing violence by ruling party militias.