NO TALKS WITH MDC

Mugabe rules out opposition talks.

Mugabe says he would rather talk to the UK PM than the opposition. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has ruled out holding talks with the main opposition party despite international pressure to do so.

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has reportedly offered to help Zimbabwe repay some of its foreign debts on condition that talks are held. Mr Mugabe said he would rather talk with the UK than the opposition MDC. Zimbabwe is in an economic crisis, with shortages of fuel, food and foreign currency and high unemployment.

"Today we tell all those calling for such ill-conceived talks to please stop their misdirected efforts," Mr Mugabe said in a speech in the capital, Harare, to remember those who died in Zimbabwe's 1970s war of independence on Heroes Day. "The man who needs to be spoken to in order to see reason resides at No 10 Downing Street [UK Prime Minister Tony Blair's residence]... That's the man to speak to," he said.