essential staff to neighbouring Ghana on Thursday. South African President Thabo Mbeki met Gbagbo in Abidjan on Tuesday and opposition leaders on Thursday in Pretoria. "I am quite sure we will make progress. That I'm sure about," Mbeki said before beginning the talks. A key demand of Gbagbo's opponents is a change to the constitution to let opposition leader Alassane Ouattara stand in a presidential election due next year. Gbagbo has insisted any change would have to go to a referendum after rebels disarm. --SP 0100 Local Time 2200 GMT