HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has appointed lawmakers and provincial governors despite deadlocked power-sharing talks, state media reported on Monday.
He appointed three non-constituency members of parliament'supper house, the Senate, and eight provincial governors.
Mugabe intends to officially open parliament on Tuesdaydespite protests by Morgan Tsvangirai's opposition Movement forDemocratic Change (MDC) that this would scuttle negotiations onforming a unity government to end the current politicalimpasse.
In terms of the constitution, Mugabe can appoint fivenon-constituency members of the Senate. He has only filledthree of those slots, presumably reserving the other two forthe opposition.
Tsvangirai maintains that a power-sharing agreement isbeing held up by Mugabe's refusal to give up executive powers.Mugabe says Tsvangirai wants to strip him of all authority.
Under a power-sharing deal under negotiation, one of thetwo senate seats is likely to be filled by Tsvangirai, who hasbeen earmarked to become prime minister.
(Reporting by Nelson Banya; Editing by Matthew Jones)