Top African Union officials will travel to Harareshortly seeking a breakthrough in the crisis in Zimbabwe whichhas also put a spotlight on the continental organization.

Diplomaticsources said A.U. chairman and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete and A.U. Commission Chairman Jean Ping will engage ZANU-PFand opposition officials in the coming days and will also confer with SouthAfrican President Thabo Mbeki during that swing.

A.U. sources said the African leadership isseriously considering opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's request that themediation process be broadened, and that a time frame be set for agreement. The Southern African Development Community is divided with Botswana and Zambiaquestioning Mr. Mbeki's ability to achieve a resolution to the festeringcrisis.

Nigeria, Swaziland, Liberia, Sierra Leon, Botswana and Kenya are threatening to cut ties with the government of President Robert Mugabe. Italy on Mondaybecame the first European nation to sever diplomatic ties with Zimbabwe, recalling Ambassador Mario Bologna. Fifteen other EU countries areexpected to follow suit, reports said.

Canada announced additional sanctions against Harare,barring Zimbabwean-registered aircraft from landing in or flying over itsterritory, and hinting that it might sever diplomatic ties. Britainand U.S are pushing the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions.

Oppositionleader Morgan Tsvangirai told reporter Blessing Zulu of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that he met with African and European diplomats Thursday to brief them on his preference for atransitional government rather than a government of national unity.

The key difference would be that a transitional government would be slated to give way to a new round of elections after two years, whereas a government of national unity would continue for the full five-year term of Mr. Mugabe's disputed presidential office.

More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...