Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga said today Zimbabwe's main opposition was preparing to hold talks with President Robert Mugabe's party.
Officials from Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said yesterday that leader Morgan Tsvangirai could sign an agreement as early as tomorrow to start substantive talks with Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
The apparent breakthrough came after South African President Thabo Mbeki proposed forming a team drawn from African regional bodies and the United Nations to help him mediate.
Mr Odinga said today he expected the two sides to sign an agreement this week for talks to take place in South Africa and he hoped they would lead to a safe exit from power for Mr Mugabe.
"Robert Mugabe is an embarrassment to the African continent," Mr Odinga told BBC television. "He lost an election and refused to move on."
"I am told the parties have now agreed a framework for negotiation which I am told will be signed in South Africa this week," he added. "I am encouraging this kind of dialogue in the interests of the people of Zimbabwe."
"I am told these talks are going to take place in Pretoria and will be chaired by President Mbeki but supervised by the African Union and the United Nations representatives."
"If this happens then it is the first step in giving Mr Mugabe a safe exit," he added.
The MDC has refused to recognize Mr Mugabe's victory in a June 27th run-off vote held after Mr Tsvangirai pulled out, citing violence by ruling party militia.