WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House said Monday it was eager for details of Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal and declared its "number one priority" was for the government in Harare to reflect "the will of the people."
"We're anxious to see what the details are. Our number one priority is that you have a legitimate government in Zimbabwe that represents the will of the people," said spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
Zimbabwe's leaders signed a historic deal Monday that will see President Robert Mugabe share power with arch-rival Morgan Tsvangirai in a bid to resolve a ruinous political crisis in a country in economic meltdown.
However, South African President Thabo Mbeki, who brokered the deal, said later in the day that the unity government had not yet been finalized.
"Some discussions have already started about the constitution of this inclusive government, (but) they have not yet concluded," Mbeki said. "I am confident that they will do so as soon as possible."
Shortly after the signing ceremony in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, the 84-year-old Mugabe said he was "committed" to working with longtime rival Tsvangirai in the new government.
"It's good that the parties, with President Mbeki, have come together to work on a way forward," said Johndroe.
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