Kenyan opposition agrees to talks
Opposition leader Raila Odinga said yesterday he was prepared to meet President Mwai Kibaki to resolve Kenya's political deadlock but only if the African Union chief acted as mediator.
"He will not meet Kibaki for negotiations unless (Ghanaian President John Kufuor) is there," said Odinga's spokesman, Salim Lone.
Kufuor, the chairman of the African Union, was expected in Nairobi later Tuesday to help mediate an end to Kenya's political crisis after presidential elections that triggered an eruption of violence.
Kibaki's contested re-election victory over Odinga in last month's polls sparked nationwide riots and clashes that tore at Kenya's multi-ethnic fabric and left at least 600 people dead.
Attempts to bring the rival leaders together have so far failed, although Kibaki extended an invitation Monday to Odinga for face-to-face talks.
The opposition leader had previously made any negotiations conditional on the president acknowledging that the December 27 vote count was rigged.
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