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Mbeki: Don't Worry About Zimbabwe

As African conference begins, Mugabe ally plays down crisis

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 12, 2008 5:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – South Africa's president told African leaders today not to worry about Zimbabwe's disputed election, Reuters reports. "I wouldn't describe that as a crisis," President Thabo Mbeki said at a summit of 14 leaders in Zambia, assembled to free Zimbabwe from its political deadlock. "It's a normal electoral process in Zimbabwe." But Zambia's president urged them to act, saying they "can no longer continue to stand by and do nothing."

Mbeki told the Southern African Development Community members to wait for Zimbabwe to release its election results. But United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said yesterday that Zimbabwe "now stands on the brink" and urged African leaders to find "a peaceful and just solution." Robert Mugabe, who skipped the summit, said he and Mbeki are "very good friends, very good brothers."

President Robert Mugabe, right, welcomes South African President Thabo Mbeki, left, of South Africa at Harare International Airport, Saturday, April, 12, 2008. (AP Photo)

South African President Thabo Mbeki, left, talks to the media in Watford, England, Saturday April 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Stefan Rousseau, Pool)

Zimbabwe's opposition party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, looks on during the opening of the emergency summit of the Southern African leaders in Lusaka, Zambia, Saturday April 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Mbeki: Don't Worry About Zimbabwe

As African conference begins, Mugabe ally plays down crisis

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Mbeki's Lost Letter Focuses Scrutiny on Zimbabwe Role

Denies Tsvangirai note; impartiality questioned

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Tsvangirai Barred From Mbeki Meet

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Opposition welcomes plan ceding real power to Tsvangirai as PM

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Mbeki: Don't Worry About Zimbabwe

As African conference begins, Mugabe ally plays down crisis

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • South Africa • Thabo Mbeki • summit • Zimbabwe elections • South African Development Community

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Mbeki's Lost Letter Focuses Scrutiny on Zimbabwe Role

Denies Tsvangirai note; impartiality questioned

Zimbabwe Leaders Sign Landmark Deal

Tsvangirai will become prime minister as parties come together

Tsvangirai Barred From Mbeki Meet

Opposition leader detained in airport, passport yanked

South Africa Offers Zimbabwe Truce Proposal

Opposition welcomes plan ceding real power to Tsvangirai as PM

Mugabe Faces Chilly Reception at African Summit

Zimbabwe prez faces pressure to negotiate

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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