This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7176181.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Kenya diplomatic moves intensify Kenya diplomatic moves intensify
(about 1 hour later)
The chairman of the African Union is due to arrive in Kenya as diplomatic moves to try to end the country's political crisis intensify.The chairman of the African Union is due to arrive in Kenya as diplomatic moves to try to end the country's political crisis intensify.
John Kufuor, also Ghana's president, will try to help resolve divisions that erupted after the disputed victory of President Mwai Kibaki in elections.John Kufuor, also Ghana's president, will try to help resolve divisions that erupted after the disputed victory of President Mwai Kibaki in elections.
Opposition head Raila Odinga has said he would only hold direct talks with President Kibaki if Mr Kufuor mediated.Opposition head Raila Odinga has said he would only hold direct talks with President Kibaki if Mr Kufuor mediated.
Violent clashes since the 27 December election have left 600 people dead.Violent clashes since the 27 December election have left 600 people dead.
'Gentle giant''Gentle giant'
The BBC's Will Ross in Ghana's capital, Accra, says that last week Mr Kufuor's proposed visit was blocked so that his arrival on Tuesday is at least a sign that there has been some progress.The BBC's Will Ross in Ghana's capital, Accra, says that last week Mr Kufuor's proposed visit was blocked so that his arrival on Tuesday is at least a sign that there has been some progress.
We have at least 600 dead... some bodies are still in the bushes where fighting occurred Senior police officer Q&A: Poll violenceRigged election?We have at least 600 dead... some bodies are still in the bushes where fighting occurred Senior police officer Q&A: Poll violenceRigged election?
Ghana's Minister of Information Oboshie Sai Cofie said Mr Kufuor's role would be more as a facilitator than a mediator - someone to bring the two sides together in a more congenial atmosphere.Ghana's Minister of Information Oboshie Sai Cofie said Mr Kufuor's role would be more as a facilitator than a mediator - someone to bring the two sides together in a more congenial atmosphere.
Our correspondent says Mr Kufuor is not someone to bash heads together - he is known as the "gentle giant" - and has helped negotiate during the conflicts in Ivory Coast and Liberia.Our correspondent says Mr Kufuor is not someone to bash heads together - he is known as the "gentle giant" - and has helped negotiate during the conflicts in Ivory Coast and Liberia.
South African Nobel peace prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the top US official for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, have also been central to international efforts to find a solution.South African Nobel peace prize laureate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the top US official for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, have also been central to international efforts to find a solution.
But the BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says the positions of Kenya's rivals remain far apart.But the BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says the positions of Kenya's rivals remain far apart.
Mr Odinga says he was cheated of election victory and has called on Mr Kibaki to stand down.Mr Odinga says he was cheated of election victory and has called on Mr Kibaki to stand down.
Mr Kibaki's refuses, saying he was rightfully elected. Mr Kibaki refuses, saying he was rightfully elected.
HAVE YOUR SAY The country-wide violence has affected virtually every Kenyan Geoffrey Mwango, Mombasa Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The country-wide violence has affected virtually every Kenyan Geoffrey Mwango, Mombasa Send us your comments
Our correspondent says Mr Kufuor may be able to reduce tension in Kenya.Our correspondent says Mr Kufuor may be able to reduce tension in Kenya.
After meeting Ms Frazer, Mr Odinga called off planned nationwide rallies, saying he wanted to give international mediation a chance.After meeting Ms Frazer, Mr Odinga called off planned nationwide rallies, saying he wanted to give international mediation a chance.
Mr Kibaki then invited Mr Odinga to hold their first face-to-face talks since the election on Friday.Mr Kibaki then invited Mr Odinga to hold their first face-to-face talks since the election on Friday.
But Mr Odinga insists that an international facilitator be present.But Mr Odinga insists that an international facilitator be present.
Ms Frazer said there may have been vote-rigging by both sides and that ordinary Kenyans had been let down.Ms Frazer said there may have been vote-rigging by both sides and that ordinary Kenyans had been let down.
"They've been cheated by their political leadership and their institutions," she said."They've been cheated by their political leadership and their institutions," she said.
Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in clashes between rival political supporters, ethnic groups and the police.Some 250,000 people have fled their homes in clashes between rival political supporters, ethnic groups and the police.
Mr Odinga said Kenya was living through the gravest crisis it had faced and condemned the violence that had taken place.Mr Odinga said Kenya was living through the gravest crisis it had faced and condemned the violence that had taken place.
Meanwhile, Mr Kibaki has reconvened parliament for 15 January.Meanwhile, Mr Kibaki has reconvened parliament for 15 January.
Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement won a majority in parliament but does not have the two-thirds needed for a vote of no-confidence in the president.Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement won a majority in parliament but does not have the two-thirds needed for a vote of no-confidence in the president.
Both sides have accused the other of ethnic cleansing during a week of violence after Mr Kibaki was declared the winner.Both sides have accused the other of ethnic cleansing during a week of violence after Mr Kibaki was declared the winner.
A government ministry says 486 people have been killed but a senior police officers told the AFP news agency: "We have at least 600 dead... some bodies are still in the bushes where fighting occurred."A government ministry says 486 people have been killed but a senior police officers told the AFP news agency: "We have at least 600 dead... some bodies are still in the bushes where fighting occurred."