HARARE, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- Negotiators of Zimbabwe's major political parties are expected to meet in Harare on Sunday for formal discussions aimed at ironing out sticking points around the implementation of the Global Political Agreement, The Sunday Mail reported.

The meeting follows the lapse of the 15-day timeframe set by the SADC Organ on Politics, Defense and Security Co-operation for commencement of the talks.

Mugabe's Zanu-PF co-negotiator Nicholas Goche said his party and the two MDC formations failed to meet within the stipulated time-frame because MDC negotiators, Professor Welsham Ncube and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, were out of the country on ministerial business.

Earlier this month, the SADC Troika, comprising Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, Swaziland's King Mswati III and President Rupiah Banda of Zambia, held an ordinary summit in Maputo, Mozambique, to review progress made in the implementation of the GPA and told Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC to immediately engage in dialogue.

The deliberations were to be held within 15 days of the summit and not exceed 30 days. On the first Wednesday after the summit, the negotiators, Patrick Chinamasa (Zanu-PF), Tendai Biti (MDC-T) and Prof Ncube (MDC), met informally before scheduling another meeting for last Monday.

This followed prior discussion among the principals to the inclusive Government, which outlined the issues the negotiators were to adhere to during their formal engagement.

According to a communiqué issued after the summit, the deliberations were to include all outstanding issues arising from the implementation of the country's GPA and the January 27 SADC Communiqué.

South Africa, which is the facilitator, was tasked to evaluate progress and report back to the Organ chairman President Guebuza. MDC-T's demands include the swearing in of its treasurer-general Roy Bennett as Deputy Agriculture Minister, the repeal of the appointment of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor and the Attorney-General as well as the parceling out of provincial governorship and ambassadorial posts.

On the other hand, Zanu-PF's key concerns are that MDC-T should participate in the implementation of the GPA by calling for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.

The party is also advocating a progressive stance against external interference and has raised concerns over the setting up of parallel Government structures by the Prime Minister's Office.

At the Maputo summit, the Troika noted the inclusive Government's achievements, among them peace and stability as well as "positive progress on economic recovery".

The Troika said the parties should fully comply with the spirit and letter of the GPA and SADC Summit decisions of Jan. 27, 2009 and to engage in dialogue in order to find a lasting solution to the outstanding issues towards the full implementation of the GPA.