An attempt to bring about reconciliation between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has failed.

The two leaders met for three hours of talks to find a solution to the political crisis gripping the government of national unity. The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai says the party is diametrically opposed to the president's ZANU-FP on a number of fundamental issues.

For the past week, MDC ministers have been boycotting cabinet meetings in protest against the prosecution of ministerial designate Roy Bennet and ZANU-FP's failure to adhere to the conditions of the collaboration agreement between the two parties.

The former opposition party MDC hopes a mediation effort by South African political leaders in Harare on Thursday may yet bring a solution. The MDC has repeatedly alluded to the possibility of calling early elections if this last-ditch mediation attempt should fail as well.

Photo: MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai (ANP/EPA)