South African President Thabo Mbeki has refused to meet Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the Zimbabwe opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), outside the framework of the inter-party talks, state media the Herald reported on Friday.
The Herald quoted reports from South Africa as saying that Tsvangirai failed to meet the South African president for his violation of protocol.
South African newspaper the Citizen said on Tuesday that President Mbeki, who is approved by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as mediator for Zimbabwe inter-party talks, snubbed the opposition leader's request and asked him to respect protocol.
Quoting government sources, the newspaper said Tsvangirai was told that he could not " just meet the president whenever you like."
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe said Tuesday at the opening of parliament that he would soon form a new government, triggering panic among the opposition which is now trying to push President Mbeki to allow more talks, the Herald said.
The Herald also reported that the Zimbabwe ruling ZANU-PF said on Thursday that there were no more talks between the parties involved since there was a deal already on the table awaiting Tsvangirai's approval.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article