Brown talks over Zimbabwe crisis

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Mr Mbeki - in Britain for the Progressive Governance Conference of centre left leaders at Watford - was reluctant to criticise Mr Mugabe and rejected calls for international intervention.

"I think the situation for now is manageable," he said. "I think it is time to wait. Let's see the outcome of the election results. If there is a re-run of the presidential election let us see what comes out of that."

Mr Brown is, however, hoping that privately the South African President will be more amenable to persuasion.

As Zimbabwe's most important neighbour and a fellow veteran of Africa's liberation struggles, Mr Mbeki is seen as one of the few world leaders capable of exerting real influence over Mr Mugabe.

At the closing press conference in Watford, he defended the way that the elections had been conducted so far. "Essentially they have observed the rules and regulations up to now. I don't see why, if there is a re-run of the presidential election, they should change," he said.

In contrast, Mr Brown - who holds the private talks with Mr Mbeki on Sunday - reiterated his calls for the election results to be announced immediately.

He said that if there was a run-off between Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai, international observers should be in place to ensure it was carried out fairly. "We are monitoring the situation closely. I think the important thing is that the results have got to be published. They cannot be any longer delayed. They have got to be seen to fair," he said.

Banner-waving Zimbabwean exiles staged a colourful and noisy demonstration in central London to demand the return of democracy to their country. About 100 protesters gathered outside the Zimbabwean embassy, drumming, dancing and singing that "now is the time for change".

Many of the protesters expressed concern that President Mbeki had rejected calls for international intervention the country and they called on passers-by to sign a petition appealing the United Nations to "help free the suffering people of Zimbabwe".