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Form er president Nelson Mandela joined the Burundi peace talks in Pretoria yesterday to offer his support.

"I am not coming here to resolve any disputes, I am leaving that up to Deputy President (Jacob) Zuma and President Thabo Mbeki," he said while describing both men as "the best negotiators in the country".

It was speculated late on Tuesday night that certain factions within the talks were calling for Mandela's intervention.

"Some of the parties wanted Mandela to take over the talks again," a source told Sapa, but officials refused to comment.

Mandela started the Burundi peace talks in 2002 and then handed his role as peace envoy over to Zuma.

"Once they are involved you don't want to bring in any old people who have lost power and influence," Mandela said.

He also described the Burundian delegation as some of the most intellectual people in the central African country.

"It's a pleasure to hold discussions with the people even if it does take a long time to reach an agreement."

Deadlocked talks eventually made headway when just after 1am yesterday Mbeki, Zuma and the Burundian delegates including former rebel CNDD-FDD group led by Pierre Nkurunziza, the Tutsi-based Uprona group, the Hutu-based Frodebu group and the leader of the transitional government, Domitien Ndayizeye, compiled a document outlining a power sharing strategy.

Not all parties have agreed to the document but after four days of deadlocked talks, it was decided to move onto discussions concerning the ceasefire agreement that was signed in December 2002.

"Today's talks at deputy president Zuma's house will centre around the progress made to this agreement," said Zuma's spokesperson Lakela Kaunda.

She said this would also include the integration of the various military bodies which was due to start on July 15. – Sapa.

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