Tendai Biti, left, MDC secretary-general, is leading the opposition team at the talks [AFP]

Nqobizitha Mlilo, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change's chief spokesman in South Africa, said the two sides would continue to discuss on Friday conditions that need to be met before negotiations can go ahead.

"We are meeting them (the ruling ZANU-PF party) face-to-face. We are not afraid of them," Mlilo told AFP news agency.

The MDC has insisted that substantive negotiations could only take place following a cessation of all violence, the release of over 1,500  political prisoners, an expanded mediation team including an African Union permanent envoy and the swearing in of lawmakers as the opposition now controls parliament.

"Those are the issues, that's the sole agenda. There is no substantive agenda," Mlilo told AFP.
 
South African President Thabo Mbeki is the region's long-time  mediator between the opposition and Zimbabwean President Robert  Mugabe's ruling party.

South African government officials -- though not Mbeki himself  -- were involved in Thursday's discussions at an undisclosed  location in the capital Pretoria, said presidential spokesman Mukoni  Ratshitanga.

Zanu-PF was represented by Patrick Chinamasa, the Justice minister and Nicholas Goche, the Labour minister and the MDC by Tendai Biti, its secretary-general and Elton Mangoma, its deputy treasurer-general.

The talks came as the UN Security Council prepared to discuss possible sanctions against Zimbabwe over the presidential run-off which was marred by allegations of violence and vote-rigging.

Draft resolution

A draft resolution authored by the US calls for a freeze on assets and a travel ban for Mugabe and 13 close associates, as well as an arms embargo.

It would also demand that the Harare government "begin without delay a substantive dialogue between the parties with the aim of arriving at a peaceful solution that reflects the will of the Zimbabwean people as expressed by the March 29 [first-round presidential] elections."

Tsvangirai finished ahead of Mugabe in that election but did not gain the outright majority needed to avoid a run-off. He pulled out of the June 27 poll just days before it took place and Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's leader for 28 years, claimed victory.

G8 leaders meeting in Japan this week called for a special envoy to assist in mediation efforts while rejecting the legitimacy of Mugabe's government and threatening further sanctions against his regime.

A number of African governments, including South Africa, have rejected the push for further sanctions, saying it will only worsen the situation.

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