African leaders to discuss Zimbabwe

PRETORIA, South Africa, July 18 (UPI) -- African Union Commission and South African leaders met Friday to discuss mediation strategies dealing with violence in Zimbabwe.

Jean Ping, the AU Commission chairman, met behind closed doors in Pretoria with President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, who has been the sole mediator in negotiations with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF and opposition parties. Some have called for an additional mediator, saying that Mbeki has favored ZANU PF, SW Radio Africa reported on its Web site Thursday.

Violence has been continuing in different parts of Zimbabwe while negotiations lag, with opponents claiming that Mugabe's government is sponsoring attacks on opponents.