HARARE, September 15, 2008 (AFP) - A Zimbabwean unity government still has to be finalised despite Monday's power-sharing accord between President Robert Mugabe and rival Morgan Tsvangirai, South African President Thabo Mbeki said.

'Some discussions have already started about the constitution of this inclusive government, (but) they have not yet concluded,' deal mediator Mbeki said. 'I am confident that they will do so as soon as possible.'

Mbeki said the region and Africa had to extend a helping hand to Zimbabwe and that getting seeds, fertilizer and fuel to the country was a matter of urgency with rains approaching.

'I'm quite certain, as a region and a continent, that we can do that, that we can indeed demonstrate that we are capable as Africans of taking care of our own problems.'

Morgan Tsvangirai, designated prime minister under the deal, earlier called for the economically-shattered southern African country's doors to be reopened to international aid.

The EU foreign ministries left sanctions in place against Zimbabwe despite the signing of the deal, saying they wanted to see democratic improvements before resuming economic aid.