Mbeki to continue Zimbabwe mediation role

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- Thabo Mbeki says he will continue his political mediation efforts in Zimbabwe despite being recalled from the South African presidency.

Mbeki has the backing of interim South African President Kgalema Motlanthe in his efforts to help Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai break a negotiations deadlock on a new unity government for the African nation, the BBC reported Saturday.

Mbeki resigned last month amid controversial claims of political interference in a corruption case against African National Congress party leader Jacob Zuma.

Meanwhile in Zimbabwe, where Mbeki last month brokered a deal for a government that would see Mugabe retain the presidency and Tsvangirai become prime minister, negotiations have stalled because Mugabe's ZANU-PF party is demanding to control all key ministries, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told the BBC.

ZANU-PF is insisting that no outside mediation is needed in the dispute.