South African President Thabo Mbeki was to fly to Harare Monday for the signing of a deal between Zimbabwe's opposition and ruling parties, paving the way for full-scale talks, the government said.

"President Mbeki will travel to Harare to facilitate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the Zimbabwean political parties," said a statement from the foreign ministry.

"The memorandum represents a positive step forward in the ongoing dialogue among the parties as facilitated by President Mbeki acting on behalf of Sadc."

Mbeki has been mediating between Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and opposition Movement for Democratic Change on behalf of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (Sadc) since March 2007.

Sapa