Mr Tsvangirai has confirmed the deal, but Mr Mugabe has yet to comment. The government and the opposition MDC has already agreed that Mr Tsvangirai would be prime minister with Mr Mugabe staying on as president.

Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was first to announce the breakthrough, telling reporters simply: "We've got a deal."

Later, Mr Mbeki told a news conference the two sides had agreed unanimously to form an inclusive government. "I am absolutely certain that the leadership of Zimbabwe is committed to implementing these agreements," he said.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said: "Both political parties are committed, it's our wish that the deal will be successful."

The discussions are thought to have been deadlocked over how many ministries each party should have in a unity government, and how much power Mr Mugabe should retain.