Abuja, Dec 08: Commonwealth leaders were set today to discuss Zimbabwe's decision to withdraw from the 54-member organisation, a spokesman said, denying suggestions that its summit in Nigeria had been a waste of time. "It's early days, so we'll have to see what the next step is," Commonwealth spokesman Joel Kibazo told a news agency.

"I am sure the leaders will try and talk about it today and see what happens from there."

Zimbabwe's veteran President Robert Mugabe said he was making good on a threat to quit the club of mostly former British colonies, describing yesterday's decision by Commonwealth leaders to extend their suspension of the renegade Southern African state as "unacceptable." "This is disappointing news. It is not what the commonwealth wanted," said Kibazo.

"What we want is the return of Zimbabwe into the Commonwealth," he said.

During the summit, members of the so-called "white Commonwealth" including Britain which advocated a tough line on Zimbabwe, locked horns with countries such as South Africa which wanted it to be reinstated immediately.

"This was not wasted. The aim was not to push Zimbabwe, the aim was to say right, this is the way forward for you to return into the family of the Commonwealth. It is something (Nigerian) President (Olusegun) Obasanjo will continue to work for," said Kibazo. Commonwealth leaders are to wrap up their four-day summit in the Nigerian capital of Abuja today.

Bureau Report