Annan calls for Kenya deal within three days
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
NAIROBI, Feb 12 (AFP): Kofi Annan urged Kenya's rival leaders Monday to hold urgent talks outside the capital to find an end within 72 hours to the political crisis and unrest that has left more than 1,000 people dead.
Annan was appointed as mediator by the African Union to try and broker an agreement to end weeks of spiralling violence since the disputed December 27 presidential election.
On Tuesday he was due to update parliament on progress in the talks in an informal meeting, also behind closed doors.
Kenyans have been hoping for a breakthrough since Friday when Annan suggested the sides had climbed down from their hardline positions and were ready to negotiate.
Annan Monday met with negotiators for Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga in a Nairobi hotel as relative calm returned across the country for the first time in weeks.
Police reported no incidents overnight in western Kenya, which had been worst hit by the unrest triggered by the election.
In power since 2002, 76-year-old Kibaki was proclaimed the winner of the election that international observers said was flawed and the opposition claims was rigged.
According to the Kenyan Red Cross, more than 1,000 people have died in rioting, tribal clashes and police raids since the vote and 300,000 people have been driven from their homes, shattering Kenya's reputation as one of Africa's most stable countries.
Annan was appointed as mediator by the African Union to try and broker an agreement to end weeks of spiralling violence since the disputed December 27 presidential election.
On Tuesday he was due to update parliament on progress in the talks in an informal meeting, also behind closed doors.
Kenyans have been hoping for a breakthrough since Friday when Annan suggested the sides had climbed down from their hardline positions and were ready to negotiate.
Annan Monday met with negotiators for Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga in a Nairobi hotel as relative calm returned across the country for the first time in weeks.
Police reported no incidents overnight in western Kenya, which had been worst hit by the unrest triggered by the election.
In power since 2002, 76-year-old Kibaki was proclaimed the winner of the election that international observers said was flawed and the opposition claims was rigged.
According to the Kenyan Red Cross, more than 1,000 people have died in rioting, tribal clashes and police raids since the vote and 300,000 people have been driven from their homes, shattering Kenya's reputation as one of Africa's most stable countries.