AU urges unity government in Zimbabwe

An African Union summit on Tuesday adopted a resolution calling for dialogue between Zimbabwe's political opponents and a government of national unity, a senior AU official said.
   
The AU resolved "to encourage President Robert Mugabe and the leader of the Movement for Democractic Change Morgan Tsvangirai to initiate dialogue with a view to promoting peace, stability," the official said, requesting anonymity.
   
It also resolved "to support the call for the creation of a government of national unity, to support SADC (Southern African Development Community) facilitation."
   
Another senior official said "the resolution was adopted by the meeting of heads of state after more than two hours of debate."
   
The resolution "appeals to states and all parties concerned to refrain from any action that may impact negatively," said the official who followed the debate, also requesting anonymity.
   
The SADC regional body has been leading mediation efforts between Mugabe and opposition leader Tsvangirai.
   
Mugabe won a widely discredited runoff election on Friday that was marred by violence which led Tsvangirai, who won the first round, to pull out ahead of the contest.
 

AFP