African leaders have called for a stop to political fighting and a focus on the economy

But the secretary-general of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said on Sunday that the party believed talks with the ruling Zanu-PF would be concluded soon.

Speaking after the summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Sunday, Tendai Biti said the MDC was committed to continuing negotiations.

"We trust that there will be a conclusion ... very soon. There are issues that are outstanding ... but quite clearly one has no business in negotiating if you are not prepared to compromise," Biti said.

"It is critical that we conclude this dialogue as a matter of urgency."

Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the MDC, is said to have agreed to become prime minister in a national unity government, although the exact balance of power remains unresolved.

An MDC official said mediation efforts would continue on Monday and Tsvangirai would begin a regional tour to consult with southern African leaders.

Focus on economy

Thirteen heads of state in the SADC had hoped the two sides would reach an agreement at the summit and move on with efforts to rescue Zimbabwe's shattered economy.

Negotiations began last month after Robert Mugabe was re-elected president unopposed in June, in a vote condemned around the world and boycotted by Tsvangirai because he said his supporters were being attacked.

A troika of SADC leaders called on Zimbabwe's parties to quickly reach a power-sharing agreement and said parliament may have to be convened as talks continue, said Thabo Mbeki, the South African president and chief mediator in the talks.

But the troika did not impose a deadline and it was not possible to say when a deal would be reached, said Mbeki, the new chairman of the 15-nation SADC.

Officials close to the talks have said the main sticking point is who would have control of the government.

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