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New effort to solve Kenya crisis New effort to solve Kenya crisis
(about 2 hours later)
Ghana's President John Kufuor is to begin talks with both sides involved in Kenya's crisis over disputed elections. Ghana's President John Kufuor is holding talks with both sides involved in Kenya's election crisis.
Mr Kufuor - current head of the African Union - will meet President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Mr Kufuor - current African Union head - has met President Mwai Kibaki and was to meet opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Mr Kibaki said at the meeting that his government was operational and would reach out to the opposition.
However there is no sign the two sides will meet for direct talks to resolve the violence, which has seen hundreds of people killed and displaced.However there is no sign the two sides will meet for direct talks to resolve the violence, which has seen hundreds of people killed and displaced.
In a BBC interview, the new Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka - who came third behind Mr Odinga in the presidential election - acknowledged there were flaws during last month's election, but said there was no doubt that President Kibaki had won.
The opposition has called Mr Kibaki's announcement of a partial cabinet on Tuesday "a slap in the face".The opposition has called Mr Kibaki's announcement of a partial cabinet on Tuesday "a slap in the face".
Protests erupted in the capital Nairobi and in the western opposition stronghold of Kisumu following the announcement.Protests erupted in the capital Nairobi and in the western opposition stronghold of Kisumu following the announcement.
Some 600 people are feared to have been killed, and 250,000 displaced, by post-election violence in Kenya - previously seen as a beacon of stability in east Africa.Some 600 people are feared to have been killed, and 250,000 displaced, by post-election violence in Kenya - previously seen as a beacon of stability in east Africa.
Tensions persistTensions persist
Mr Kufuor's visit is expected to build on the mediation efforts of the top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer, who has spent several days shuttling between the two sides. After meeting the Ghanaian president, Mr Kibaki flew off to the western city of Eldoret, which has suffered some of the worst violence since the crisis began.
A statement by Mr Kibaki's office said he had assured Mr Kufuor he was initiating dialogue.
NEW MINISTERS Kalonzo Musyoka: Vice-president, ODM- KenyaUhuru Kenyatta: Local government, KanuMoses Wetangula: Foreign affairs, PNUKiraitu Murungi, Energy, PNUMartha Karua , Justice, PNUGeorge Saitoti: Internal Security, PNUJohn Michuki: Road transport, PNUNEW MINISTERS Kalonzo Musyoka: Vice-president, ODM- KenyaUhuru Kenyatta: Local government, KanuMoses Wetangula: Foreign affairs, PNUKiraitu Murungi, Energy, PNUMartha Karua , Justice, PNUGeorge Saitoti: Internal Security, PNUJohn Michuki: Road transport, PNU
He is meeting Mr Kibaki on Wednesday morning and Mr Odinga in the afternoon. "Now that peace was returning to these parts, his partially formed government would continue to reach out to Kenyan leaders who would also be encouraged to play their role in preaching peace among their followers," the statement said.
Mr Kibaki's announcement of a cabinet appeared to deliver a blow to hopes of dialogue, with Mr Odinga on Tuesday rejecting a government offer of direct talks as "public relations gimmickry" that sought to divert attention from international efforts to broker a solution. Mr Musyoka emphasised the need for peace and stability.
But on Wednesday, Mr Kibaki insisted in a statement that there was room for members of the opposition in his new cabinet. "What is important is that a government is in place," he said.
"What we want to do right now is to preach national healing and reconciliation."
Mr Kufuor's visit is expected to build on the mediation efforts of the top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer, who has spent several days shuttling between the two sides.
The violence has forced thousands of Kenyans into campsThe violence has forced thousands of Kenyans into camps
Mr Kibaki's announcement of a cabinet appeared to deliver a blow to hopes of dialogue, with Mr Odinga on Tuesday rejecting a government offer of direct talks as "public relations gimmickry" that sought to divert attention from international efforts to broker a solution.
But Mr Kibaki insisted in a statement that there was room for members of the opposition in his new cabinet.
"When my government is fully constituted as a result of dialogue, it will be broad-based and represent the will of the people of Kenya," Mr Kibaki said in a statement, quoted by AFP news agency."When my government is fully constituted as a result of dialogue, it will be broad-based and represent the will of the people of Kenya," Mr Kibaki said in a statement, quoted by AFP news agency.
"It is envisioned that this government will be established as a result of a constructive and inclusive dialogue. Nothing is ruled out in this process," the statement added.
Violence returnsViolence returns
The cabinet announcement triggered protests in Kisumu, where police fired over the heads of hundreds of demonstrators who set up burning road blocks and stoned cars.The cabinet announcement triggered protests in Kisumu, where police fired over the heads of hundreds of demonstrators who set up burning road blocks and stoned cars.
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
One man died, Reuters news agency reported.One man died, Reuters news agency reported.
In Nairobi, hundreds of opposition supporters came out in protest, some reportedly brandishing machetes. Gunshots were heard for the first time in days, reports said.In Nairobi, hundreds of opposition supporters came out in protest, some reportedly brandishing machetes. Gunshots were heard for the first time in days, reports said.
A spokesman for Mr Odinga has urged opposition supporters not to take part in demonstrations, saying they could imperil international efforts to find a solution.A spokesman for Mr Odinga has urged opposition supporters not to take part in demonstrations, saying they could imperil international efforts to find a solution.
Meanwhile, Ms Frazer is to extend her stay in Kenya to continue pushing for a resolution, said state department spokesman Sean McCormack in Washington.Meanwhile, Ms Frazer is to extend her stay in Kenya to continue pushing for a resolution, said state department spokesman Sean McCormack in Washington.
He said Ms Frazer would make a pre-arranged one-day trip to the Comoros islands on Wednesday, but return immediately to Kenya.
Ms Frazer has been highly critical of events in Kenya - a close US ally - saying earlier in the week that Kenyans had been "cheated by their leadership and their institutions".Ms Frazer has been highly critical of events in Kenya - a close US ally - saying earlier in the week that Kenyans had been "cheated by their leadership and their institutions".