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Kenya rivals 'discussing PM post' Annan hails Kenya talks progress
(30 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. Ex-UN chief Kofi Annan has announced considerable progress in talks between Kenya's government and opposition aimed at ending the political crisis.
The post is one option in the talks between the government and opposition to seek a power-sharing deal. Talks have been adjourned until Friday, as negotiators consult on a compromise agreement.
A spokesman for ex-UN chief Kofi Annan, who is leading the talks, said there had been "progress" but no deal yet. The deal is understood to involve the creation of a prime ministerial post, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports.
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 poll, which the opposition alleges was rigged.
President Mwai Kibaki's government and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have already agreed in principle on a grand coalition. "I am beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel," Mr Annan said after negotiators from President Mwai Kibaki's government and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) adjourned their talks on Thursday.
But discussions have reached deadlock over how it would work in practice. Our correspondent adds, however, that the compromise discussed by the two teams includes elements that will make the constituencies on both sides unhappy.
The current uneasy calm in Kenya should not be misunderstood as a return to normalcy International Crisis Group report The current uneasy calm in Kenya should not be misunderstood as a return to normalcy International Crisis Group report The rivals have agreed in principle on a grand coalition as a solution to the crisis, but discussions had 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 creation of a post of prime minister - which does not exist under the current constitution - was 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.
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". Talks between the two leaders have been in deadlock
Kofi Annan has repeatedly appealed for the two negotiating teams not to make announcements through the media. Earlier this week, the opposition warned it would launch new mass protests in a week's time if the talks did not break the political deadlock.
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.
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.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.