Zimbabwe Leaders Seal Power Sharing Deal

South African foreign affairs spokesman, Ronnie Mamoepa, said in a statement today that a "memorandum of understanding" would be signed in Harare at 3 pm local time in Zimbabwe.

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki was in the capital Harare to oversee the signing between the ruling ZANU-PF and opposition Movement for Democratic Change, headed by Morgan Tsvangirai.

The memorandum "represents a positive step forward in the ongoing dialogue," Mamoepa said.

Tsvangirai backed out from signing a similar framework deal last Wednesday and asked that the negotiation process to include officials from the African Union, the United Nations, and the Southern African Development Community.

Tsvangirai, who led Mugabe in March elections, withdrew from a June 27 runoff due to increased violence against Tsvangirai's supporters by means of intimidation, beatings and even murders.

Mugabe, who has been Zimbabwe's only leader since independence in 1980, has remained defiant against pressure both from overseas and his African neighbors and until now has ignored appeals to negotiate.

Mugabe, who is battling to keep his 28-year hold on power since the country gained independence, has remained defiant against mounting pressure from both international and African leaders.