Robert Mugabe's iron grip on Zimbabwe is finally loosening today after nearly three decades.

Amid fevered reports of face-saving deals, speculation was growing that the autocratic president was on the verge of stepping down.

Virtually all observers are agreed Mugabe lost the first round of voting to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

The 84-year-old's Zanu-PF party have also tellingly refrained from claiming victory in the crucial poll.

However, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has yet to release the full results - despite growing demands for clarity from countries including Britain and the US.

In his first public appearance since the election, Mr Tsvangiri insisted last night his party had won, but denied any formal negotiations were taking place with Mugabe.

"There is no way the MDC will enter in any deal before ZEC Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has actually announced the result."

Senior Zanu-PF figures have also rejected reports a deal had been struck.

It is not clear if Mr Tsvangari won more than the 50% needed to avoid a second run-off vote.

A random sample of polling stations indicated Mr Tsvangirai had won just over 49% of the vote and Mugabe 42%.

Mugabe came to power 28 years ago when Zimbabwe achieved independence, but the economy has been in freefall over recent years.