Three months after the voting and violence began, embattled President Robert Mugabe and his opposition rival agreed to hold talks about sharing power to bring an end to Zimbabwe's deadly political crisis.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe (left) shakes hands with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two parties in Harare on July 21. Both parties said they were committed to talks. AP PHOTO

But Zimbabweans worn down by the daily grind of finding food in a country with the world's worst inflation had little energy to celebrate July 21. Instead, they lined up outside banks for Zimbabwe's new $100 billion note — enough to buy two loaves of bread.

The July 21 handshake to discuss forging an "inclusive" government was a victory for opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who beamed as he signed the deal nearly three months after winning the first round of the presidential vote.

For him, the agreement contains a key opposition demand: an end to the political violence that has killed dozens, injured thousands and sent tens of thousands fleeing from their homes.

Tsvangirai called the deal "the first tentative step toward searching for a solution."

Mugabe said they must "chart a new way" — but act without influence from Europe or the United States. That was a dig at Tsvangirai, whom he has branded a Western puppet in the past.

The objectives and priorities laid out in the outline include restoring economic stability, Western sanctions targeting Mugabe and about 130 of his cronies, and land reform.

Many observers and analysts say a coalition — perhaps with Mugabe as president and Tsvangirai as prime minister or vice president — is the only way to lead the nation forward.