Zimbabwean unity focus of Mbeki visit

HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 5 (UPI) -- South African President Thabo Mbeki is trying to help forge a unity government in Zimbabwe during a visit to his neighboring country, officials say.

South African Foreign Affairs Department officials told CNN Mbeki began serving Saturday as the chief negotiator between leaders of a splinter opposition faction and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

The latest negotiations follow Mugabe's uncontested re-election as president after Zimbabwe's main opposition group, the Movement for Democratic Change, removed itself from the presidential run-off poll.

The opposition party cited campaign violence for its decision, saying 5,000 party members are still missing following campaign conflicts.

Nonetheless, members of a dissident faction of the political group met with Mbeki and Mugabe Saturday to work toward a political compromise.

CNN said Mbeki was appointed to facilitate the tense negotiations by the Southern African Development Community,