Crucial power-sharing negotiations between Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change are due to resume.

Mugabe is giving a speech at a ceremony to mark Armed Forces Day. He has used the occasion in the past to lambast Britain, the U S and his domestic political foes.

The 84-year-old autocrat is expected to continue at South African-mediated negotiations with opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara on Tuesday afternoon.

One of the big question marks is over how much power Mugabe is prepared to cede to his rivals, who command a majority in parliament. Mugabe won the presidential election runoff after Tsvangirai refused to take part because of violence.