The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Harare

Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change said on Friday that talks to allocate key cabinet positions have reached deadlock, leaving a power-sharing accord in jeopardy.

"The three principals met and there is now a shared consensus among them that there is a deadlock," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP. "The intervention of the mediator therefore becomes imperative," said Chamisa.

President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF was not available to comment. In September Zimbabwe's political rivals signed a landmark power-sharing deal aimed at ending the country's ruinous political crisis. Under the deal, 84-year-old Mugabe would retain his position as head of state, after nearly three decades in power, while Tsvangirai took up the new post of prime minister. Tsvangirai's MDC claims that Mugabe's ruling party wants to retain key posts-believed to be the defence, home affairs, state security and finance ministries-in violation of the pact.