With fresh disagreements over the time frame for elections and implementation of security, media and electoral reforms threatening to plunge Zimbabwe into further crisis, President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai feel hard done by thanks to the AU's silence on their country's affairs at its recent summit in Addis Ababa, Ethopia.

Zanu PF last week reportedly resolved to unilaterally call for elections to end the wobbly coalition government.

Tsvangirai, on the other hand, is resisting early elections, arguing the environment is not conducive because of fears that violence could flare up, leading to another round of disputed polls.

Mugabe was hoping to drum up support and have his bid for early polls ratified by the African heads of state meeting.

Tsvangirai had, however, wanted the summit to discuss the deteriorating relations in the inclusive government and Zanu PF's reluctance to institute reforms agreed to before the holding of elections.

Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo had earlier urged AU leaders to "demand the holding of elections" this year.

Sources said yesterday the situation "was fast deteriorating in the inclusive government" and that both Mugabe and Tsvangirai felt slighted by the AU's silence.

"Zanu PF came back empty-handed as it had wanted AU leaders to endorse Mugabe's calls for early elections this year," one source said.

Political analysts say the AU's silence on Zimbabwe heralds a new era that will see African leaders becoming more critical of Mugabe's ideas.

Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition pressure group spokesman Thabani Nyoni said despite the organisation's silence on pressing issues pertaining to the country, the AU had received a report on the situation in Zimbabwe from President Jacob Zuma.

Moves to arrest Tsvangirai on corruption charges following the alleged irregular purchase of a plush house in Harare are likely to further fuel tensions in the joint administration.

Mugabe condemned the A U for recognising Libya's national transitional council at a recent summit, state radio reported yesterday.

Speaking at the airport soon after arriving from the summit, Mugabe accused unnamed African countries of being "fronts" for Western powers whose "criminal" bombardment of Libya helped lead to the killing of Muammar Gaddafi, a former Mugabe ally.

The continental body did not even protest against the Nato action, Mugabe said.

He also said it was "unprocedural" for the AU's peace and security council to take a decision to recognise the transitional council.- Additional reporting by Sapa-AP