Harare - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe expressed "deep sorrow and shock" at the death of his Zambian counterpart and outspoken critic Levy Mwanawasa, calling him "a brother and colleague" in a statement sent to the Zambian capital Lusaka on Thursday.

Mwanawasa, 59, died on Tuesday in a French hospital after suffering a stroke in June on the eve of an African Union summit.

Mugabe sent the message of condolence to Zambia and the Mwanawasa family through Zambia's acting president Rupiah Banda.

"It was with profound shock and sorrow that I learned of the untimely death of our dear brother and colleague, His Excellency Levy Mwanawasa," Mugabe, 84, said.

"His death is a great loss not only to people of Zambia but also to SADC (Southern African Development Community) and Comesa (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) regions and indeed to the entire African continent," the statement said.

"Zimbabwe shares your sorrow during this period of bereavement and mourning."

Mwanawasa entered the international limelight last year after likening Zimbabwe's economy to a "sinking Titanic," making one of the few African leaders to openly criticise Mugabe's regime.

Earlier this year, while chairman of SADC, he condemned the silence of other African leaders vis-a-vis Mugabe's re-election in a tainted June poll that the opposition boycotted.

Zimbabwe's non-governmental National Constitutional Assembly said that Mwanawasa had died at a time when "his openness and leadership capabilities are in need" in Zimbabwe.

Talks between Zimbabwe's parties on a powersharing government are in deadlock. (dpa)