Brown to push bank bailout plan at summit

Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003 after the group of mainly former British colonies renewed a suspension imposed on the country in 2002 when President Robert Mugabe won re-election in a poll some observers said was rigged.

Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have now formed an uneasy partnership in a unity government.

Brown said the unity government had achieved changes but Britain remained concerned about the pace of progress.

"There is still a great deal to do on judicial reform, on constitutional reform, on human rights and economic reform and we are clearly not yet at a stage for Zimbabwe to rejoin the Commonwealth," he said.

"I believe however that the best way forward is to hold out a conditional offer that it is possible for Zimbabwe to rejoin the Commonwealth if Zimbabwe takes the necessary steps and delivers on the requirements of the Global Political Agreement," he said, referring to Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal.

Brown said the summit, which brings together leaders of both wealthy and poor nations, could be a springboard to successful U.N. climate change talks in Copenhagen on December 7-18.

Brown said progress was being made in discussions on how to pay for countering climate change, including helping poor countries to adapt.

"If we can find a solution to the financial questions then obviously it will be easier for countries to announce what they are prepared to do to cut carbon emissions," he said.

(Editing by Andrew Roche)