Agreement: Straw

A breakthrough deal over the crisis in Zimbabwe has been brokered by foreign ministers at the Commonwealth conference in Nigeria.

Details of an agreement, described as a "total breakthrough" will be released on Friday following a statement released by ministers on the crisis which had threatened the stability of southern Africa.

The agreement was finally reached as the economic pressure on Zimbabwe increased and Thabo Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo, the presidents of South Africa's and Nigeria respectively, became involved.

A resettlement fund for white farmers who lose their land will be set up and Britain is expected to lead efforts to raise money by contributing £36 million.

In return Zimbabwe has agreed to halt the officially sanctioned land seizures by "war veterans" which has led to the deaths of nine white farmers since the conflict began in February last year. The agreement also includes a pledge that the country's leader will respect human rights and press freedom. Zimbabwe promised to "take firm action against violence and intimidation".

The compromise gives Zimbabwe time and heads off international pressure for sanctions and suspension from next month's Commonwealth summit in Brisbane.

Commonwealth secretary-general Don McKinnon said Zimbabwe was committed to the deal.

"We have spent the best part of eight hours arguing over some very small details but the commitment from the Zimbabwe representatives was very strong," he said.

In an official statement, Jack Straw said the communique represented "a positive step forward" though he admitted "the test of this agreement will be events on the ground". His officials hailed the deal as his first diplomatic victory since his appointment.

The foreign secretary said there had been a consensus at the meeting "to see an improvement in the conditions in Zimbabwe and in standards there."

Straw believed the consensus was only the beginning of the process, saying: "The ultimate judgement about whether it is a breakthrough or not will depend not on the words that are on the paper but the events that take place in Zimbabwe, with, as I hope, the co-operation of the international community."

Joseph Made, Zimbabwe land minister, confirmed an agreement had been reached including "land acquisition" reforms. Asked if it entailed an end to the violence that accompanied the occupation of farms, he said: "Don't ask me if the violence will continue. I haven't perpetrated violence any more than you have."

Opposition parties in Zimbabwe greeted news of the deal with scepticism.

Mabel Mundoza of the Movement for Democratic Change opposition said: "I don't trust Mugabe. I don't believe he will keep his end of the bargain. I hope the British government hasn't been hoodwinked."