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Tsvangirai Barred From Mbeki Meet

Opposition leader detained in airport, passport yanked

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 14, 2008 8:37 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Zimbabwe's opposition, was detained at the airport in Harare today and prevented from flying to South Africa. Authorities confiscated his passport, as well as the travel documents of fellow members of the Movement for Democratic Change, before letting him leave. Tsvangirai was to attend a meeting with South African president Thabo Mbeki in an attempt to resolve the country's political crisis.

"This is a reflection of their insincerity," said an MDC leader. "They want to talk to us yet they behave like hooligans." Tsvangirai has said that he remains committed to a power-sharing deal after last week's stalemate, despite reports that Robert Mugabe had cut a deal with a breakaway MDC leader. Tsvangirai won the first round of Zimbabwe's presidential election but dropped out of the runoff due to tremendous state violence against his supporters.

Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai responds to questions at a press conference in Dakar, July 31, 2008. Tsvangirai was detained at Harare airport and had his passport confiscated.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai responds to questions at a press conference in Dakar, July 31, 2008. Tsvangirai was detained at Harare airport and had his passport confiscated.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
South African President Thabo Mbeki, left, is welcomed by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe upon his arrival in Harare, Monday, July 21, 2008.
South African President Thabo Mbeki, left, is welcomed by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe upon his arrival in Harare, Monday, July 21, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is seen, at a news conference in Harare Wednesday July 2, 2008.
Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is seen, at a news conference in Harare Wednesday July 2, 2008.   (AP Photo)
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's Movement For Democratic Change opposition party, talks to the media in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, April 18, 2008.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of Zimbabwe's Movement For Democratic Change opposition party, talks to the media in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday, April 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/STAR, Paballo Thekiso)
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Pressure mounts on Mbeki to broker an agreement
AFP

Botswana boycotts meeting, calls Mugabe illegitimate
Times (South Africa)

 
Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • South Africa • Southern Africa • Thabo Mbeki • Movement for Democratic Change • Zimbabwe elections

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