Brown holds talks with South African President Zuma

Brown holds talks with South African President Zuma
rown holds talks with South African President Zuma
: Prime Minister Gordon Brown and South African President Jacob Zuma are holding talks in Downing Street.

The two are expected to discuss the political situation in Zimbabwe, trade links, climate change and this summer’s football world cup in South Africa.

President Zuma, who is on a three-day state visit to the UK, has called for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted to help political reconciliation there.

Mr Brown attended a banquet given by The Queen for Mr Zuma on Wednesday.

Key issues

At the event, also attended by senior British ministers and opposition leaders, the Queen praised South Africa’s successful journey of “liberation and democratic renewal” over the past 20 years.

President Zuma and his third wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma, were greeted by Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at No 10 on Thursday morning ahead of about thirty minutes of talks.

The two leaders are currently holding a news conference.

Thursday’s meeting is likely to be dominated by questions over Zimbabwe and impact of the global economic downturn on Africa.

Prior to arriving in the UK, President Zuma said the lifting of international sanctions against Zimbabwe could help the country to “move forward” and resolve outstanding political differences.

President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government last year but remain deadlocked over key appointments while the upcoming trial of a political ally of Mr Tsvangirai’s for treason has raised tensions.

The international community maintains that sanctions are still needed to keep pressure on President Mugabe to live up to his commitments to political and economic reform.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss preparations for this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, with thousands of British supporters set to travel to the country to watch the tournament.

Later on Thursday, President Zuma will visit the site of the 2012 Olympics in London as well as anti-racism and crime reduction projects in the capital.