FACTBOX - What happens next in Zimbabwe after deal?
HARARE (Reuters) - Below are answers to some questions about the power-sharing agreement signed on Monday by Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and what could happen next.
HOW WILL MUGABE AND TSVANGIRAI MOVE FORWARD?
Under the deal, Tsvangirai will become prime minister and chair a council of ministers that supervises the cabinet. Mugabe will remain as president and chairman of the cabinet. Mugabe's ZANU-PF will have 15 cabinet seats, Tsvangirai's MDC 13 and a splinter MDC faction three seats.
The MDC wants to take control of ministries of home affairs in charge of the police and the finance ministry, giving it responsibility for rescuing the economy.
While the powerful state security ministry will be abolished, it is unclear how the secret police, a key instrument in maintaining Mugabe's 28 year in power, will be integrated into the new government.
Although Mugabe is certain to use all his political wiles to retain as much influence as he can, there is no doubt that the agreement marks an unprecedented loss of authority for the veteran leader after 28 years in charge.
WILL WESTERN POWERS GIVE THEIR BLESSINGS?
World powers, including the United States and Zimbabwe's former colonial master Britain, are likely to hold back full endorsement of the power-sharing deal until they see the details and how it will work in practice.
The European Union has put a decision on sanctions against Zimbabwe on hold after the deal. EU ministers had been due to discuss extending the list of Zimbabweans targeted.
If they determine a new government is democratic, Western countries are expected to consider major investment and aid packages.
HOW WILL REGIONAL POWERS SUPPORT THE SETTLEMENT?
The 15-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) will call on the international community to support the Zimbabwe agreement and urge financial support to revive the country's crumbling economy.
HOW WILL THE GOVERNMENT START ECONOMIC RECOVERY?
The new unity government is expected to agree an emergency economic revival programme, and to dispatch Tsvangirai to help mobilise financial and food aid for a country which critics say has been destroyed by years of mismanagement.
Nobody believes it will be an easy task, particularly given the fact that former bitter foes will be having to work with each other.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT?
Investors are excited at the prospects Zimbabwe offers if it heads towards recovery. Mining, agriculture and telecoms are all areas of interest. But any major flows of funds will have to wait until the political picture becomes clearer.
WILL ZIMBABWEANS ABROAD RETURN HOME, OR WAIT?
Some Zimbabweans abroad may start weighing plans to return home, but a majority of the millions in neighbouring countries, Europe and America will likely take their time to assess the political settlement before deciding on their future.
WHAT ABOUT RELATIONS WITH UNIONS?
Zimbabwe's new unity government may negotiate with labour unions and industry over a moratorium on wages and prices to help stabilise an economy struggling with the world's highest inflation rate of over 11 million percent.
HOW WILL CORRUPTION BE TACKLED?
The new government is also expected to launch a crackdown on crime and corruption which has worsened the crisis of an economy with severe food, fuel and foreign currency shortages.
(Writing by Gordon Bell; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)
