Mbeki meets Mugabe amid election fears

By Nelson Banya

HARARE (Reuters) - South African President Thabo Mbeki met Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe and his rival on Wednesday to try to mediate an end to a violent election crisis.

Mugabe faces a presidential election run-off next week against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and stands accused by opponents, Western countries and human rights groups of orchestrating a campaign of killings and intimidation.

Mbeki, who has led regional mediation efforts in Zimbabwe, has been criticised for his quiet diplomatic approach that has failed to end a political and economic crisis that has driven millions of people into neighbouring states.

The head of South Africa's ruling party voiced doubts over whether the June 27 vote could be fair, a strong indication that patience was running short with Mugabe in Africa as well as among his traditional Western critics.

The South African president spent 3-1/2 hours with Mugabe at the Zimbabwean ruler's official residence the second biggest city, Bulawayo, but made no comment to reporters afterwards.

Mbeki earlier met Tsvangirai in Harare, the opposition Movement for Democratic Change said. The party confirmed the meeting but offered no further comment.

Mugabe lost the first round vote to Tsvangirai on March 29, but the opposition leader did not get the outright majority needed to avoid a second round, according to official results.

ZUMA DOUBTS