S. African deputy president confirms discussing with Zuma over his "stepping down"

JOHANNESBURG, Feb. 7 (Xinhua)-- South Africa's deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed meeting with the embattled president Jacob Zuma to clarify matters relating to the latter's reluctance to step down.

Ramaphosa said their discussions were constructive and laid the basis for a speedy resolution to the leadership question in South Africa.

"This will enable President Zuma and myself to conclude our discussions and report back to our organisation and the country in the coming days," Ramaphosa said in a statement that is regarded by many political analysts as not clear.

Ramaphosa believed this was a "challenging time" for the country.

"Both President Zuma and myself are aware that our people want and deserve closure. The constructive process we have embarked on offers the greatest opportunity to conclude this matter without discord and division," he said.

"However, I am certain that the process we have now embarked on will achieve an outcome that not only addresses these concerns, but also unites our people around the tasks that all of us must necessarily undertake to build our country," according to Ramaphosa's statement issued by the ANC.

"We will be able to communicate further on President Zuma's position as President of the Republic once we have finalized all pertinent matters," he said.

The statement said on the basis of the progress made, a special meeting of the ANC NEC (National Executive Committee) that had been scheduled for Wednesday was postponed. Enditem