By Fiona Forde
Morgan Tsvangirai has been prevented from leaving the country after his travel documents were seized at Harare International Airport on Thursday afternoon as he attempted to board a flight for Johannesburg.
His Emergency Travel Document, which was issued only a fortnight ago, and his old passport which is no longer valid but which he always carries in his possession, were taken from him shortly after 1.15pm on Thursday.
The leader of the Movement for Democratic Change was due to attend the summit of the Southern African Development Community which opens in Johannesburg on Friday where South African President Thabo Mbeki had hoped to reach a settlement on Zimbabwe?s crisis.
Tendai Biti's passport was also taken from him as he attempted to board the same flight.
The Secretary General was the party's chief negotiator in the crisis talks which collapsed on Tuesday night, sparking concerns that Robert Mugabe has brokered a deal with Arthur Mutambara, the leader of the smaller MDC faction, to former a coalition government without Tsvangirai.
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