Speaking to reporters at the start of a state visit to Britain, Mr Zuma was asked about sanctions on Zimbabwe.

"If they could lift sanctions, that would give Zimbabwe an opportunity to move forward," he said

He disagreed with the view expressed from outside Zimbabwe that more pressure in the form of sanctions was the way forward.

He said the Southern African Development Community, a regional body that has been dealing with Zimbabwe, had suggested that if sanctions were lifted they could be reimposed if progress was made by a certain date.

Mr Zuma said it would be difficult for Zimbabwe to deal with outstanding obstacles to a political resolution while sanctions were still in place.

President Robert Mugabe and his old foe Morgan Tsvangirai formed a unity government in Zimbabwe last year, but remain deadlocked on issues such as the appointment of a new governor of the central bank and an Attorney General. The trial of one of Mr Tsvangirai's political allies for treason is also an issue.

About three million Zimbabweans have fled to neighbouring South Africa as the economy has collapsed at home.

He added that he would be raising the question of how to make progress in Zimbabwe during his talks this week with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.