Mbeki's successor says he should continue Zimbabwe mediation

Johannesburg: Newly appointed President Kgalema Motlanthe on Thursday said that Thabo Mbeki should continue as chief mediator in Zimbabwe's stalled power-sharing negotiations despite stepping down as South African president.

"Mr. Mbeki's facilitation efforts in Zimbabwe have proven his dispassionate vision for a lasting political solution to the challenges facing Zimbabwe," new South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said in a statement.

"Accordingly, our government has full confidence in Mr Mbeki's ability to build on the historic successes already made in the power sharing negotiations under his mediation." Mbeki mediated agreement on the outline of a power sharing deal two weeks ago but the two sides are now deadlocked on cabinet posts.