Johannesburg
12 April 2008
Southern African leaders are meeting in the Zambian capital to discuss the political crisis in Zimbabwe following the country's failure to release the results of its presidential poll. The embattled Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe refused to attend the summit, but did meet with South African President Thabo Mbeki ahead of the conference. VOA's Delia Robertson reports from our southern Africa bureau in Johannesburg.
Mr. Mbeki was clearly anxious to avoid pronouncing on the outcome until the result is officially announced.
"We are waiting. Everybody, everybody is waiting for Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to announce all the results that are outstanding," he added.
The MDC has appealed to Zimbabwe's high court to force the commission to release the election results. A ruling is expected on Monday. If no presidential candidate wins a clear majority, the law requires a second round.
Analysts speaking ahead of the Lusaka meeting told VOA that even if regional leaders break with tradition and issue a public admonishment to Mr. Mugabe, none of the leaders, including Mr. Mbeki, has any real influence in Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile speakers of southern African parliaments meeting in Capetown called on the regional leaders to use their influence to end the crisis.
The speakers from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and South Africa urged the leaders to act speedily in the interests of peace and stability in Zimbabwe and the region.