Pressure has been mounting for a solution to Zimbabwe's political crisis, with power-sharing talks in the capital due to resume for a third day.

President Robert Mugabe indicated the talks were blocked, though he has also said differences can be overcome.

South African President Thabo Mbeki has been leading mediation over Zimbabwe's presidential elections.

His role is expected to come under scrutiny at a meeting of regional powers this weekend.

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Mugabe threat to expel US envoy ... Mr Mugabe and opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The BBC's Jonah Fisher, who has been monitoring the talks from neighbouring South Africa, says that what had appeared to be strong momentum for reaching a weekend deal now appears to be on the wane.

Torture camps

Mr Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential election in March, before pulling out of a June run-off because of a campaign of violence against his supporters.

On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said in a report that the campaign of violence had continued, with ruling Zanu-PF supporters continuing to terrorise villagers in rural areas.

The government was making little effort to dismantle torture camps set up by its supporters, and hundreds of opposition activists were still in hiding, it said.

Zanu-PF has blamed the opposition for post-election violence.

Speaking on Tuesday at national Armed Forces Day events, Mr Mugabe praised security forces for defending Zimbabwe's "hard-won independence".

"These sterling achievements have overcome numerous concerted efforts from some sections of the international community to destabilise our peace and stability and thus cause confusion in our country," he said.

Leaders met for about five hours in Harare on Monday, after a marathon meeting the day before that lasted more than 13 hours.

Asked after Monday's round if talks were progressing well, Mr Mugabe replied: "Not as at present."

"Tsvangirai is moving goal posts, forcing us to negotiate issues which we had already agreed upon," he was quoted as saying.

Mr Tsvangirai said he "supposed" the talks were progressing well.

Having also won March's parliamentary election, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is believed to be seeking an allocation of ministries that closely mirrors that result.

The agreement being discussed would see Mr Mugabe remain president with Mr Tsvangirai, becoming prime minister, reports say.

The MDC has said it would accept Mr Mugabe in a ceremonial role, but has indicated he should not be able to retain significant executive powers.

South Africa's president has been in Harare since Saturday. Before that, he was mediating negotiations from South Africa.

Mr Mbeki is under pressure to achieve a solid outcome ahead of next week's Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit.

(BBC)

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