President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday declined to comment on reports that Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai does not want him as sole mediator in Zimbabwe's peace talks.

"We prefer to engage in these matters directly with the parties involved," presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga told Sapa.

Tsvangirai told reporters in Harare on Wednesday that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change would not participate in negotiations with long-time leader Robert Mugabe — unless an additional mediator was appointed.

"Our reservations about the mediation process under President Mbeki are well known," said Tsvangirai.

"Unless the mediation team is expanded... and the mediation mechanism is changed, no meaningful progress can be made toward resolving the Zimbabwe crisis.

"If this does not happen, then the MDC will not be part of the mediation process," Tsvangirai added.

Sapa