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South African President Thabo Mbeki has met with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to try to help end Zimbabwe's political crisis.

Mr. Mbeki also met Saturday with leaders of a breakaway faction of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change Saturday, however the main opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, declined to participate in the meeting.

A spokesman for the opposition party said it is waiting for the African Union to join the mediation efforts. The MDC has criticized Mr. Mbeki's mediation bid as being biased in favor of President Mugabe.

A Zimbabwean government official criticized Tsvangirai for skipping the meeting, saying it showed a lack of respect.

Meanwhile, a British newspaper says oil giant Royal Dutch Shell could pull out of Zimbabwe.

"The Observer" reports today (Sunday) Shell officials began mulling the move following allegations that Mr. Mugabe is restricting the sale of fuel at gas stations to his supporters.