Zimbabwe ? Zimbabwean negotiators have the basis for a power-sharing agreement and should quickly resolve their political differences and turn their attention to their nation’s economic crisis, southern African leaders said Sunday.

Zimbabwe’s opposition portrayed that assessment – reached after three days of discussions among Southern African Development Community leaders at a regional summit – as an endorsement of further talks.

But it also could be read as pressure to approve a deal despite signs the opposition and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s party have deep reservations.

The SADC’s key committee on security and politics said it had reviewed a report on more than a year of mediation sponsored by the regional bloc.

In recent weeks, the negotiations had focused on trying to bring Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai into a unity government. Both appear at odds over who would wield the most power in such a government.

The SADC encouraged Zimbabwean rivals “to sign any outstanding agreements as a matter of urgency to restore political stability in Zimbabwe.”