COPENHAGEN - US SECRETARY of State Condoleezza Rice on Friday called on Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down, saying power-sharing talks with the opposition were a 'sham process.'

'It is well past time for Robert Mugabe to leave,' said Ms Rice during a brief visit to Copenhagen. 'I think that is now obvious.'

'If this is not evident for the international community, that it is time to stand up for what is right, I don't know what would be.'

Mr Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai signed a power-sharing deal in September that has yet to be implemented amid fierce disagreements over who should control key ministries.

Ms Rice said southern African states needed to maintain pressure on Mugabe to find a political solution to the deadlock. Otherwise, she said, 'it would be very difficult' to make any progress.

'Southern African states should be the most responsible,' she said.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the African Union needed to to play a role in any solution.

'Africa must take the lead,' he said. 'I would encourage the African Union to take the lead. We need speedy progress.' Zimbabwe has been in political limbo since elections in March when the opposition wrested control of parliament from Mr Mugabe's party and Mr Tsvangirai pushed Mr Mugabe into second place in a presidential poll.

Mr Tsvangirai pulled out of a run-off election in June, however, ensuring victory for Mr Mugabe, after dozens of opposition supporters were killed in attacks blamed on Mugabe supporters. -- AFP