Zimbabwe: Robert Mugabe seeks dominant role in coalition government

President Robert Mugabe is insisting on retaining substantial power in any coalition government that may emerge from a deal to end Zimbabwe's crisis, a senior source in Harare has said. By Peta Thornycroft in Harare Mr Mugabe's stance could paralyse the talks between his Zanu-PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, despite speculation that a settlement is imminent. A source close to the negotiations said that the key question of dividing executive power between Mr Mugabe and his key opponent, Morgan Tsvangirai, in any new government had yet to be settled. "Zanu-PF launched murder and blood to protect executive power," he said. "If anyone thinks they are going to go to an air-conditioned room to surrender executive power they are dreaming." Mr Mugabe will seek to keep enough power to be the dominant figure... [read full story]