{{Zimbabwe’s rival political leaders say they have reached a deal over a new constitution, removing a key obstacle to holding elections.}}<\/p>\n
The agreement was struck in talks involving President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.<\/p>\n
Mr Tsvangirai said a “long journey” had ended, while Mr Mugabe said he was “glad” that a deal had been reached.<\/p>\n
The prime minister had set the adoption of a constitution as a condition for polls due later this year.<\/p>\n
Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party and Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party entered into a fractious coalition following the 2008 election, which was marred by violence and allegations of vote-rigging.<\/p>\n
Details of the deal have not been made public, but it is understood that the powers of the president have been curbed – a key demand of the MDC.<\/p>\n
The 88-year-old Mr Mugabe, who is expected to run for another term in office, was in jovial mood when he addressed a news conference with Mr Tsvangirai at his official residence, our reporter adds.<\/p>\n
“We are glad to say that we have come to the conclusion of the [constitution-making] exercise and all parties are agreed – sure there are Ts to be crossed and Is to be dotted,” Mr Mugabe said.<\/p>\n
Mr Tsvangirai said the constitution would be a “social contract” with Zimbabweans.<\/p>\n
“This is not about individuals… I’m sure this will be a living document,” he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Mugabe said the constitution would be put to a referendum.<\/p>\n
Election date<\/p>\n
Once approved by voters, elections would be held, he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Mugabe – in power since since independence in 1980 – is expected to be challenged by Mr Tsvangirai for the presidency.<\/p>\n
A source close to the constitution-making process told our reporter that sharp differences over the system of government had also been resolved.<\/p>\n
The MDC had argued that Zimbabwe was a highly centralised state, and power should be devolved to lower levels of government.<\/p>\n
Zanu-PF had now agreed to the formation of elected provincial legislatures, our correspondent said.<\/p>\n
There would also be an executive in each province, headed by an elected chairman.<\/p>\n
Agreement had also been reached to overhaul the legal system by creating a constitutional court as the highest of the land.<\/p>\n
However, it remained unclear what agreement had been reached on the powers of the army, police and intelligence services – another major sticking point between the parties, our correspondent added.<\/p>\n
The MDC had repeatedly accused the security forces of unleashing violence against its supporters during the 2008 election to help Mr Mugabe hold on to power.<\/p>\n
Last week, the US-based campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) raised concerns about whether Zimbabwe would make key reforms before the October deadline for elections.<\/p>\n
Zimbabwe had failed to reform key laws, like the public order, security and information acts, it said.<\/p>\n
HRW said there had been no changes to the justice system “which remains extremely partisan towards Zanu-PF”.<\/p>\n
The security forces, election bodies and state broadcasters were also politically partisan, remaining loyal to Mr Mugabe and Zanu-PF, it added.<\/p>\n
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