Calls grow for Mugabe to step down amid military siege [The Morning Call]

Zimbabwe’s long-time President Robert Mugabe has been holding direct talks with the army over his future even though there has been no official word on the outcome of talks he has had with regional envoys and the army chief. But sources say he has so far refused to step down. Pictures emerged of the 93-year-old Mugabe meeting the army chief and two envoys from South Africa at his official residence in Harare.

The talks in Harare came after tumultuous days in which soldiers blockaded key roads, took over state TV and put the veteran leader under house arrest. Meanwhile, long time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said it was “in the interests of the people” that Mr Mugabe “resigns… immediately”.