SCENARIOS - Possible outcomes to Zimbabwe's crisis

By Matthew Tostevin

LONDON (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's crisis is worsening rapidly in the absence of agreement on implementing a power-sharing deal between President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

Below are some possible scenarios:

STALEMATE CONTINUES

* Zimbabwe's economy and social system appear rapidly headed towards total breakdown, highlighted by a cholera outbreak that has killed over 560 people and by clashes earlier this week between Zimbabweans and angry soldiers.

* Street protests in Harare on Wednesday were another sign of the growing tensions in a country where nobody has money to buy food or meet other basic needs. Although the protests have been small and easily suppressed by police with batons, the weight of despair is clearly growing.

* Central bank efforts to print more money are only adding to stratospheric inflation. With exports collapsing, there is nothing to back the currency. Output of gold, which had been a third of exports, has tumbled as the crisis shuts mines.

* A worried army is taking measures to curb "rogue soldiers" after the disturbances. While there is no sign the army dissent amounts to a mutiny, the rank-and-file is suffering alongside other Zimbabweans and could potentially be a threat to the government as well as to public order.

* The confrontation between police and the rampaging soldiers earlier this week also raised the risk of trouble between forces once reputed for discipline and cohesion.