afrol News, 15 September - Zimbabwean rival political leaders have finally signed a power sharing deal in capital Harare today, following weeks of rigid negotiations.

Under pact, leader of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai will become prime minister and head council of ministers, supervising cabinet.

President Robert Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai made agreement that is said will end deep political crisis, compounded by veteran leader's disputed and unopposed re-election in June.

New government comes after long drawn out talks, which involved ruling ZANU-PF, Mr Tsvangirai's MDC and MDC's breakaway faction under Arthur Mutambara.

The three disputed over structure and composition of government last month.

Main opposition said its national governing council had agreed to support power-sharing deal yesterday, adding "national governing council has agreed to support this all inclusive government. It is hoped that this new deal will provide a new dawn and new direction for country, although there were some concerns on issues of governors and appointment of ministers by some of members," said MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa.

An announcement that was made by MDC came a day after ZANU-PF's policy body had authorised agreement.

Pact was signed before African leaders including Tanzania's Jakaya Kikwete, chairperson of African Union, South African president Thabo Mbeki who broke deal, King Mswati III of Swaziland, Lieutenant General Ian Khama of Botswana, Lesotho's prime minister Pakalitha Mosisili and other regional heads.

South African Development Community (SADC) had tasked Mr Mbeki to mediate talks aimed at resolving Zimbabwe's long simmering political crisis.

However, South African leader often came under attacks from western countries for what they termed quiet diplomacy in refusing to openly criticise Mr Mugabe for his policies.

Meanwhile, British government has welcomed prospect of a turn in tide of suffering in Zimbabwe following signing of deal.

Foreign secretary, David Miliband, said, "our overriding concern is with people of Zimbabwe, who have suffered too long."

He added, "we hope that this agreement will allow Zimbabwe to chart a new course towards economic recovery and political stability. We will of course be studying details of agreement closely. What matters now is not just words in agreement, but way it functions and actions new government takes on ground. We hope that new government will now reverse tragic policies and decline of recent years."

Mr Miliband said new government needs to start to rebuild country, adding that if it does so, Britain and rest of international community will be quick to support them.

Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980 and won a controversial presidential run off election in June.

Mr Tsvangirai withdrew, claiming MDC was target of state sponsored violence.

In first round of presidential election in March, Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe but official results said he did not pass 50% threshold for outright victory.

Zimbabwe has fastest economy decrease in world with an inflation of more than 11000 000 per cent annually.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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