The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters , Johannesburg

Zimbabwe's political rivals meet in South Africa on Tuesday for talks to end political deadlock, as pressure mounts from regional leaders for a deal to prevent the country's humanitarian crisis becoming still worse.

Negotiators from President Robert Mugabe's ruling ZANU-PF party, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and a breakaway MDC faction will meet mediator Thabo Mbeki to discuss a draft constitutional amendment paving the way for a new government.

Former South African President Mbeki has been reviewing the draft law, which many in the southern African country hope will usher in a new government to end a crippling economic crisis that has seen inflation soar to more than 230 million percent.

The MDC has refused to enter government, accusing ZANU-PF of trying to take the most powerful ministries and freeze it out, violating a September 15 power-sharing deal. Talks on forming a cabinet have been deadlocked for two months.