Kenyan rivals hold direct talks
Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga hold direct talks for first time since Kenyan civil unrest began
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Thursday, 24, Jan 2008 08:11
Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki and opposition rival Raila Odinga have held face-to-face talks for the first time since bitterly-disputed elections last month.
Chief mediator Kofi Annan, the former secretary general of the United Nations, said the discussions in Nairobi were "very encouraging".
Mr Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Mr Odinga shook hands and smiled as they emerged from the president's office earlier today.
Speaking first, Mr Odinga delivered the following statement: "We have taken the first vital steps in resolving electoral disputes.
"I ask everyone to be patient and uphold peace in a spirit of brotherhood."
Mr Kibaki, whose re-election in the December presidential elections sparked civil unrest that has killed up to 800 and displaced a quarter of a million people, added: "As government, we are determined to get to the underlying causes of these unprecedented events and to lead the nation in a process of healing, reconciliation and lasting harmony.
"I appeal to all Kenyans to remain firm and to shun violence as we endeavour to find a solution."
Ahead of today's positive talks, Mr Annan had succeeded where previous African Union-led mediation attempts had failed by getting Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga to meet face-to-face.
The former UN chief and Ghanaian president said after the meeting that the "first steps" towards political reconciliation had been taken.
"You can see the two leaders are here to underline their engagement to dialogue and to work together for a just and sustainable peace," Mr Annan explained.
Ahead of the talks, an ODM rally scheduled to take place in Nairobi had been called off by Mr Odinga.