A resolution ratified at their summit fell short of the censure sought by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and came as both camps signalled that any prospect of talks leading to possible power-sharing had faded.

With negotiations off the table and the AU rejecting strong intervention, Zimbabwe risks descending into further chaos.Mr. Mugabe won a one-man presidential election last week after a campaign of violence against the opposition that led to the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and drew condemnation from around the world.

The African Union's Draft Resolution on Zimbabwe, ratified at the closing of its summit, said the body was "deeply concerned" with the country's situation. It "encouraged" Mr. Mugabe to initiate dialogue with Mr. Tsvangirai "for the creation of a government of national unity" but did not specify the terms of such an arrangement or deadlines."The AU remains convinced that the people of Zimbabwe will be able to resolve their differences and work together once again as one nation," it said.

The union's statement stood in sharp contrast to actions by Western critics who have called for Mr. Mugabe's ouster and moved to isolate his government. Yesterday, European governments weighed even harsher measures, ranging from visa bans to freezing bank accounts of those linked to the Mugabe regime to ending aid to the beleaguered country.

The European Union said it would only accept a Zimbabwean government led by Mr. Tsvangirai.

The deep rift between the West and African Union leaders appeared to embolden Mr. Mugabe, who lambasted the West through a spokesman saying his critics can "go hang a thousand times. They have no basis, no claim on Zimbabwean politics at all." He emerged from the summit late last night holding the upper hand for any future negotiations with Mr. Tsvangirai, who left the Dutch embassy in Harare yesterday where he sought refuge from election violence.

MDC political strategists said they were "extremely disappointed" with the African Union's "inaction," with one senior member calling it an "empty gesture." George Sibotshiwe, an MDC spokesman, left the summit early saying: "We presented our case to all of the heads of states. There is nothing more we can do."

In Harare, the MDC issued a statement saying, "there are no talks or discussions taking place between the two parties and most importantly, there is no agreement in the offing."

The Zimbabwean delegation did not object to the AU resolution. Mr. Mugabe remained at the summit while the resolution was adopted.

Earlier, George Chambara, Mr. Mugabe's spokesman, angrily rejected a Kenya-style deal - essentially a national unity government - which has been championed by some influential delegates as a possible way out of Zimbabwe's political impasse. "We have our own history of evolving dialogue and resolving political impasses the Zimbabwean way. The Zimbabwean way is not the Kenyan way," he said.

He also dismissed the opposition's calls for additional AU-appointed mediators to broker a deal, which is currently being led by South African President Thabo Mbeki. During the summit, Mr. Mugabe sought to convince delegates that international protest against his government amounted to Western meddling in African affairs.

He addressed the summit's closing session at length, but would not to speak to reporters or issue any public statements. According to delegates, Mr. Mugabe fended off his critics in closed-door sessions, comparing his defiance of international calls for him to step down to his historic role as a liberation hero, for which he commands lingering respect.

The language appeared to find some resonance here, with some African leaders wary of publicly backing Western efforts, led by Britain, the United States and Canada, to condemn Mr. Mugabe. Efforts to denounce Mr. Mugabe in stronger terms at the summit floundered, to the frustration of other delegates.

Mompati Merafhe, vice-president of Botswana, called for the runoff elections to be declared illegitimate and for Mr. Mugabe to be ejected from the African Union. "Their participation ... would give unqualified legitimacy to a process which cannot be considered legitimate," Mr. Merafhe said.

His motion was defeated, but Mr. Mugabe thanked him for his "constructive criticism

By SONIA VERMA
From theglobeandmail.com