Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe could back down on the allocation of key ministries to his ruling ZANU-PF party to save a power-sharing deal with the opposition, state media reported today.
"There could be some changes to the list (of ministry allocations) gazetted last week as the parties find each other and make compromises for the sake of progress," the state-run
Heraldnewspaper quoted a ZANU-PF official as saying.
"I am not in a position to say what these changes will entail because the matter is now being handled largely at the highest level, that is at the level of the three party leaders."
Mr Mugabe is in talks with MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai mediated by former South African President Thabo Mbeki to resolve a dispute over cabinet appointments threatening to scupper the agreement they signed on September 15.
Arthur Mutambara, head of the smaller MDC faction, is also taking part in the talks.
The parties are close to a deal on forming a cabinet and "history is being made" in the negotiations, the MDC said yesterday.
Mr Mugabe was also upbeat, saying he expected talks aimed at rescuing a power-sharing deal to be sealed today. Mr Mutambara said the parties were "very close" to an agreement.
Mr Tsvangirai threatened to pull out of the agreement on Sunday after Mr Mugabe allocated key ministries, including defence, home affairs, which oversees the police, and finance, to his ZANU-PF party.
Reuters