Zimbabwe?s President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday signed a deal laying down the framework for formal talks on forming a power-sharing government to end a deep political crisis. It was the first meeting in 10 years between the two rivals, who are said to detest each other. They sat at a conference table separated by South African President Thabo Mbeki who mediated the deal.

The preliminary agreement was signed in Harare?s Rainbow Towers Hotel after weeks of deadlock since Mugabe was re-elected on June 27 in a widely condemned poll boycotted by Tsvangirai because of violence against his supporters. Mbeki said the agreement committed both sides to an intense process to try to complete substantive negotiations as quickly as possible. ?All parties recognize the urgency.?

Officials from both sides said the framework agreement sets a two-week deadline for the government and two factions of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to discuss key issues including a unity government and how to hold new elections. A government of national unity has been pushed as a solution to the crisis by the African Union and the regional body Southern African Development Community (SADC), both concerned by Zimbabwe?s political violence and an economic crisis that has flooded neighbouring states with millions of refugees.

Tsvangirai?s MDC and Mugabe's ZANU-PF are also committed under the agreement to ease political tension within the two-week deadline, officials said. Mugabe and Tsvangirai have been under heavy world and African pressure to enter negotiations, which are expected to be extremely tough. They have both demanded to be recognized as Zimbabwe?s rightful president.

Zimbabwe?s economic collapse under Mugabe?s 28-year rule has plunged the once prosperous country into inflation of at least 2 million percent as well as crippling food and fuel shortages. Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition faction, had previously refused to sign even a framework deal unless government militias stop violence he says has killed 120 of his supporters. He also demanded that Mugabe recognize his victory in the first round of the presidential poll on March 29.

The MDC leader pulled out of the run-off because of the heavy violence between the two rounds. Mugabe, 84, blames the opposition for the bloodshed.