The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Harare

Zimbabwe's opposition leader said Friday that four days of "intense" negotiations have failed to break a deadlock in power-sharing talks and called for intervention by regional and African leaders.

Morgan Tsvangirai addressed reporters after talks with President Robert Mugabe ended late Friday evening without resolving the impasse that has left Zimbabwe rudderless.

Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has been mediating talks since Tuesday.

Mbeki brokered a Sept. 15 deal between Mugabe and Tsvangirai to form a unity government. The opposition narrowly won March parliamentary elections.

But the formation of the new government has been delayed over disagreements on the allocation of Cabinet posts.

The opposition has accused Mugabe of trying to hold onto too many key posts.

"Regrettably after four days of intense negotiations we have failed to agree on the first key issue which is the allocation of key portfolios and therefore a deadlock has been declared," Tsvangirai said.

Mugabe, who left the Harare hotel where talks have been taking place a little later, did not seem downbeat about the outcome.

"It (the discussions) went well t in the wrong direction," he said, adding that his party would make a detailed statement Saturday.

Mbeki struck a more optimistic note as he left some time later.