Harare - Zimbabwe's main political parties have failed to resolve their differences blocking the formation of an agreed inclusive government in marathon talks mediated by Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders.
The government and the two Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) factions agreed to a power-sharing deal last September to end their longstanding political wrangles, but have since differed on a number of things, including control of key ministries.
Monday's talks, mediated by a group of SADC leaders, including South African President and SADC Chairman Kgalema Motlanthe and former President Thabo Mbeki, followed threats by Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to unilaterally form a new Cabinet if the opposition continued to drag its feet in joining government.
However, the meeting failed to bridge the gulf between the two sides, especially control of key ministries, prompting President Motlanthe to call for a full summit next week of the regional group.
The Extra Ordinary SADC Summit, expected to be held in South Africa, is in turn expected to pass a resolution on the matter.
SADC Executive Secretary Tomaz Salamao said among the sticking points were the opposition's demands for provincial governorships, and senior civil servant posts, as well as the composition of the National Security Council, alleged violations of the 15 September 2008 agreement, Constitutional Amendment Number 19 and allocation of ministries.
Emerging from the meeting, President Mugabe said the meeting "did not go well", adding that the SADC had submitted a proposal to break the impasse which was rejected by MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
President Mugabe's Zanu PF and the Arthur Mutambara-led MDC splinter group accepted the proposal.
The proposal, President Mugabe said, would have allowed for the swearing in of Mr Tsvangirai and Mr Mutambara to the posts of prime minister and deputy prime minister respectively as well as the appointment of ministers to allow government to function.
Outstanding issues, which were brought forward by Mr Tsvangirai would have been dealt with after the government had been formed, he said.
"The MDC and Mr Tsvangirai did not agree with the proposal and gave a counter proposal which was the opposite of the SADC proposal and so the meeting broke down," President Mugabe said.
He reiterated that Zanu PF remained committed to the negotiations and "shall continue to exchange ideas and see where the difference (with the MDC) lies".
Mr Tsvangirai also emerged from the meeting disappointed, blaming the Zanu PF for the failure to resolve the impasse.
"Unfortunately there has been no progress because of the outstanding issues, which were even outstanding before the Global Political Agreement was signed, which are the same issues creating this impasse," he said.
He, however, said the MDC was committed to the inclusive government.
Mr Mutambara described the failure to reach an agreement as a tragedy and a sad day for the country. He called on the other two parties to the tripartite talks to relax their demands.
Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, who is the acting chairman of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security, attended Monday's meeting.
