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Kenyan crisis talks gather pace Kenyan crisis talks gather pace
(10 minutes later)
Former UN chief Kofi Annan is meeting Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, as he attempts to end the violence sparked by disputed presidential election results.Former UN chief Kofi Annan is meeting Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, as he attempts to end the violence sparked by disputed presidential election results.
Earlier, the leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Nairobi.Earlier, the leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Nairobi.
Raila Odinga said he was responding to a request by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan.Raila Odinga said he was responding to a request by ex-UN chief Kofi Annan.
On Wednesday, skirmishes between police and youths broke up a memorial service for victims of the post-poll violence. AFP news agency are reporting the deaths of at least 12 people overnight in several different incidents.
Tear gas was fired into the crowds of mourners at a park in Nairobi after ODM supporters threw stones at police vehicles during a speech by Mr Odinga. On Wednesday, skirmishes between police and youths broke up an opposition memorial service for victims of the post-poll violence in a park in Nairobi.
More than 650 people have been killed during the past three weeks, while 250,000 others have fled their homes.More than 650 people have been killed during the past three weeks, while 250,000 others have fled their homes.
Mediation talksMediation talks
The ODM had been planning a mass demonstration on Thursday to underline its anger at the result of the 27 December election, which it claims was rigged by President Mwai Kibaki and his government.The ODM had been planning a mass demonstration on Thursday to underline its anger at the result of the 27 December election, which it claims was rigged by President Mwai Kibaki and his government.
We believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in William RutoOrange Democratic MovementWe believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in William RutoOrange Democratic Movement
But after meeting Mr Annan, who is in Nairobi to try to find a political solution to the election dispute, the ODM said it would call the protest off.But after meeting Mr Annan, who is in Nairobi to try to find a political solution to the election dispute, the ODM said it would call the protest off.
"On the request of the mediation team, we have called off the activities that we had planned for tomorrow to give this mediation the best chance," ODM MP William Ruto told KTN television afterwards."On the request of the mediation team, we have called off the activities that we had planned for tomorrow to give this mediation the best chance," ODM MP William Ruto told KTN television afterwards.
"We believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in.""We believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in."
Mr Ruto said the party had presented its evidence of electoral fraud by the government to Mr Annan and expressed its full confidence in his efforts to resolve the crisis in the country.Mr Ruto said the party had presented its evidence of electoral fraud by the government to Mr Annan and expressed its full confidence in his efforts to resolve the crisis in the country.
Raila Odinga (left) remains convinced he won the electionRaila Odinga (left) remains convinced he won the election
Before the meeting, the former UN secretary general said he would insist on a solution for the "sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa".Before the meeting, the former UN secretary general said he would insist on a solution for the "sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa".
He is being accompanied by Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.He is being accompanied by Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
Mr Annan had planned to meet both sides on Wednesday, but was prevented because Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is on a separate mediation mission, talked to Mr Kibaki for longer than expected.Mr Annan had planned to meet both sides on Wednesday, but was prevented because Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is on a separate mediation mission, talked to Mr Kibaki for longer than expected.
Mr Annan was forced to postpone his meeting at State House for 24 hours.Mr Annan was forced to postpone his meeting at State House for 24 hours.
Several attempts to get the two leaders to hold face-to-face talks have failed so far.Several attempts to get the two leaders to hold face-to-face talks have failed so far.
Coffins Deaths
AFP news agency reports 12 deaths overnight in clashes between rival gangs and ethnic groups, quoting the police.
It says there were eight deaths in Nakuru - to the northwest of the capital. It says two were killed in central Limuru, one man was hacked to death in a Nairobi slum and another Kenyan was killed in the western area of Molo.
On Wednesday, the air at one of Nairobi's parks was thick with tear gas as riot police fired canisters into crowds of people who had gathered for a memorial service.On Wednesday, the air at one of Nairobi's parks was thick with tear gas as riot police fired canisters into crowds of people who had gathered for a memorial service.
The wooden coffins of those killed in last week's crackdown on opposition protests had been taken from the mortuary and laid out on the ground for people to pay their respects.The wooden coffins of those killed in last week's crackdown on opposition protests had been taken from the mortuary and laid out on the ground for people to pay their respects.
Previous demonstrations have been blocked by the security forcesPrevious demonstrations have been blocked by the security forces
Hundreds of mourners had gathered round to listen to prayers and speeches and Mr Odinga was finishing his speech when tear gas canisters started to fly.Hundreds of mourners had gathered round to listen to prayers and speeches and Mr Odinga was finishing his speech when tear gas canisters started to fly.
Reports say a group of ODM youths were angered by the presence of police at the venue and started pelting their cars with stones and the meeting then descended into chaos.Reports say a group of ODM youths were angered by the presence of police at the venue and started pelting their cars with stones and the meeting then descended into chaos.
The protest moved down the street, with demonstrators later setting fire to the telephone exchange building where the government-owned telecommunications company Telkom was based.The protest moved down the street, with demonstrators later setting fire to the telephone exchange building where the government-owned telecommunications company Telkom was based.
The opposition has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the police of using excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.The opposition has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the police of using excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.