PRESIDENT ROBERT Mugabe, pressed ahead with his unilateral imposition of a new government in Zimbabwe yesterday in defiance of a powersharing deal with Morgan Tsvangirai, by swearing in two new vice-presidents.
They took office hours before South Africa's former president, Thabo Mbeki, was expected in the capital, Harare, in an attempt to rescue the deal he brokered last month which has stalled over Mr Mugabe's insistence on taking control of key cabinet posts, particularly the military, police and justice portfolios.
Under the agreement Mr Tsvangirai is appointed prime minister while Mr Mugabe remains president but with greatly reduced powers. The cabinet is almost evenly divided between the two.
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)described the swearing in of Joyce Mujuru and Joseph Msika, Mr Mugabe's former vice-presidents, as an act of bad faith, even though under the agreement Mugabe is allowed to reappoint them.
The MDC leader has said he will not join an administration in which Mr Mugabe retains control of all major ministries. Without Mr Tsvangirai's participation there is little chance of a government being recognised outside Zimbabwe.
EU foreign ministers said sanctions would not be lifted until the powersharing deal was implemented. French foreign minister, Bernard Kouchner said: "We are worried about the situation . . . and will certainly not abandon Mr Tsvangirai. - ( Guardian service)