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Kenya rivals 'discussing PM post' Kenya rivals 'discussing PM post'
(10 minutes later)
The creation of a prime ministerial post is being discussed in negotiations to resolve the crisis over Kenya's disputed polls, the opposition says.The creation of a prime ministerial post is being discussed in negotiations to resolve the crisis over Kenya's disputed polls, the opposition says.
The post is one option in the talks between the government and opposition to seek a power-sharing deal.The post is one option in the talks between the government and opposition to seek a power-sharing deal.
A spokesman for ex-UN chief Kofi Annan, who is leading the talks, said there had been "progress" but no deal yet.A spokesman for ex-UN chief Kofi Annan, who is leading the talks, said there had been "progress" but no deal yet.
At least 1,000 people have died in violence since the December election, in which the opposition alleges fraud.At least 1,000 people have died in violence since the December election, in which the opposition alleges fraud.
President Mwai Kibaki's government and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have already agreed in principle on a grand coalition.President Mwai Kibaki's government and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have already agreed in principle on a grand coalition.
But discussions have reached deadlock over how it would work in practice.But discussions have reached deadlock over how it would work in practice.
The creation of a post of prime minister - which does not exist under the current constitution - has been one of the opposition's demands. The current uneasy calm in Kenya should not be misunderstood as a return to normalcy International Crisis Group report
Talks between the two leaders have been in deadlockOn Wednesday, the opposition warned it would launch new mass protests in a week's time if the talks did not break the political deadlock. The creation of a post of prime minister - which does not exist under the current constitution - has been one of the opposition's demands
On Wednesday, the opposition warned it would launch new mass protests in a week's time if the talks did not break the political deadlock.
Najib Balal, a senior ODM member, told the BBC on Thursday that the opposition would be prepared to accept the post of prime minister provided it carried the necessary authority and power.Najib Balal, a senior ODM member, told the BBC on Thursday that the opposition would be prepared to accept the post of prime minister provided it carried the necessary authority and power.
A spokesman for Mr Annan's negotiating team said that progress had been made in the talks, although nothing had been "signed, sealed or delivered". Talks between the two leaders have been in deadlockA spokesman for Mr Annan's negotiating team said that progress had been made in the talks, although nothing had been "signed, sealed or delivered".
Kofi Annan has repeatedly appealed for the two negotiating teams not to make announcements through the media.Kofi Annan has repeatedly appealed for the two negotiating teams not to make announcements through the media.
Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced during the ethnic and political violence that broke out after President Kibaki was declared the winner of December's presidential election.Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced during the ethnic and political violence that broke out after President Kibaki was declared the winner of December's presidential election.
The opposition alleges widespread rigging, and international observers said the poll was flawed.The opposition alleges widespread rigging, and international observers said the poll was flawed.
'Serious obstacles''Serious obstacles'
The development came as an international think tank warned that further violence could erupt unless a solution to Kenya's political crisis were found urgently.The development came as an international think tank warned that further violence could erupt unless a solution to Kenya's political crisis were found urgently.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) said armed groups on both the opposition and government sides were being mobilised for fresh attacks.The International Crisis Group (ICG) said armed groups on both the opposition and government sides were being mobilised for fresh attacks.
The ICG report called for legal, electoral and constitutional reforms and for aid to be conditional on a peaceful result. Analysis warn that the crisis must be resolved urgentlyThe ICG report called for legal, electoral and constitutional reforms and for aid to be conditional on a peaceful result.
The report warned "serious obstacles" to peace remained.The report warned "serious obstacles" to peace remained.
In a BBC interview, the ICG's Donald Steinberg also warned against reaching a short-term political deal without addressing long-term issues.In a BBC interview, the ICG's Donald Steinberg also warned against reaching a short-term political deal without addressing long-term issues.
He said that at the root of the violence were the tribal divide-and-rule policies of Kenya's previous ruler, Daniel arap Moi, which had not been addressed under Mr Kibaki.He said that at the root of the violence were the tribal divide-and-rule policies of Kenya's previous ruler, Daniel arap Moi, which had not been addressed under Mr Kibaki.
"The current uneasy calm in Kenya should not be misunderstood as a return to normalcy," said the report."The current uneasy calm in Kenya should not be misunderstood as a return to normalcy," said the report.
The report noted that as Kenya is a platform for relief operations in Somalia and Sudan, a haven for many refugees from the region, and a vital trade hub, failure to resolve the crisis would have "severe consequences" for the whole of east Africa and beyond.The report noted that as Kenya is a platform for relief operations in Somalia and Sudan, a haven for many refugees from the region, and a vital trade hub, failure to resolve the crisis would have "severe consequences" for the whole of east Africa and beyond.