Chissano: We can't help Zim

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Maputo - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, during a visit to Mozambique on Wednesday, appealed to former African leaders to intervene in Zimbabwe's post-election standoff.

Tsvangirai met former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano and the leader of the opposition RENAMO party Afonso Dhlakama in the capital Maputo to discuss tensions in Zimbabwe following last month's presidential elections.

Tsvangirai has claimed victory over President Robert Mugabe in the election - a claim Mugabe's Zanu-PF rejects. The state election body has withheld the official results for nearly a month.

Chissano told reporters that Tsvangirai had asked him, as chairperson of the African Forum of Former African Heads of State and Government, for his help in ending the deadlock.

"I clarified to the MDC leader that the Zimbabwe issue is at this very moment being dealt with through SADC (Southern African Development Community) leadership," said Chissano, who has been close to Mugabe in the past.

"The most we can do is to make ourselves available to regional leaders to take part in any initiatives they wish," Chissano said.

"We will follow the events, we'll be in touch and, if possible, we'll act. But for now there is nothing we can do".

The 56-year-old opposition leader was due to meet on Wednesday evening with President Armando Guebuza.

Tsvangirai is touring African countries to curry support for his victory claim over Mugabe. Zanu-PF says neither Tsvangirai nor Mugabe won the election outright and that a run-off vote is needed.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has ignored international appeals to release the results of the election, while agreeing to carry out a partial recount of the votes. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA