Talks on power-sharing in Zimbabwe have adjourned to give opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai time to reflect, South Africa's president has said.

Thabo Mbeki spoke amid confusion about whether Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe had reached an agreement with a breakaway opposition faction.

Mr Mbeki was due to leave for Angola after mediating during three days of talks in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare.

He said he was determined to help end the "suffering" of Zimbabwe's people.

The power-sharing talks have involved Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and a breakaway MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara.

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Amnesty International demands Tsvangirai's release ... space that Mr Tsvangirai has asked for is to reflect on this matter about which the other two negotiators have agreed," Mr Mbeki said.

"I know the suffering that the people of Zimbabwe are experiencing. I know the violence they've experienced in the last few months, I know the problems that have accumulated over many years," he added.

He referred to Zimbabwe's economic crisis and its impact on the country's neighbours.

"We've got to say what it is that we can contribute to help these problems solved."

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

(BBC)

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