Zimbabwe's opposition challenged a recount it said was loaded towards the ruling party as rigging allegations were traded and regional leaders failed to stem the deepening post-election crisis.
State media reported overnight that 23 out of Zimbabwe's 210 constituencies would be recounted next Saturday, three weeks after general elections. The result of the presidential poll is still to be announced.
The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said it was mounting a legal challenge to the recount order, which in theory could lead to President Robert Mugabe's ruling party regaining control of parliament.
Southern African leaders have called for the speedy release of Zimbabwe's presidential election results following an emergency summit in Zambia.
President Robert Mugabe did not attend the 14-nation Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.
The meeting urged all the parties in the electoral process in Zimbabwe to accept the results when they are announced.
The SADC said if the result of the presidential election proved neither Mr Mugabe nor opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won outright, a second ballot must be conducted fairly.
Thabo Mbeki, president of South Africa, visited Harare on his way to the summit and had his first face-to-face talks with Mr Mugabe since the disputed elections.
Mr Mbeki said later there was 'no crisis' in Zimbabwe.
