Mugabe a puppet in the hands of his military?

HARARE–Some members of Zimbabwe's jittery ruling elite have concluded that President Robert Mugabe must step down after apparently losing an election last weekend and have begun reaching out to opposition leaders to resolve the four-day-old political standoff, according to ruling party members, diplomats and political observers.

Perhaps the most important group in the discussions is the leadership of Mugabe's historically loyal security apparatus.

The "securocrats," including top members of the police, military and intelligence service, reportedly are split over whether to act to keep Mugabe in power or to urge him to accept defeat.

A retired general, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the air force chief has refused to back military action to protect Mugabe, while the police force is steadfast behind him.