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UK envoy appeals for Kenya calm Miliband appeals for Kenya calm
(about 2 hours later)
The UK high commissioner to Kenya has appealed for calm as violence continues after disputed presidential elections. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has resisted calls to impose sanctions against Kenya amid the escalating post-election violence.
Adam Wood said the British government was "appalled by the horrific killings" in parts of the east African country. But he urged political leaders in the east African country to find common ground as international pressure mounted for order to be restored.
He called on the country's political leaders to "very act clearly and specifically" to help restore order. British nationals in Kenya have been advised to stay indoors or to exercise extreme caution if they do go outside.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have issued a joint statement calling for an end to the violence. At least 250 people have been killed during four days of violence.
They pledged to support "diplomatic and political efforts" to restore order and urged Kenya's politicians to put the country's democratic interests first. Violence flared after Mwai Kibaki was officially re-elected president in a poll that opposition leader Raila Oding claims was rigged.
Whatever frustration people may have felt about recent events, there is no excuse for this violence Adam WoodUK High Commissioner Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said Kenya should be given a two-week deadline to carry out a full recount of votes or face Commonwealth and European Union sanctions.
Speaking at a press conference in Nairobi, Mr Wood said there was "a lot of activity behind the scenes to urge an end to the violence and encourage reconciliation and unity." Democratic interests
He added: "Whatever frustration people may have felt about recent events, there is no excuse for this violence and peace and reconciliation can only be achieved when it stops." But in an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Miliband pointed out that 80% of the UK's £170m annual aid to Kenya goes direct to ordinary people, rather than to the government in Nairobi.
Extreme caution "What I would say about any discussion of sanctions in the future is that there are two key issues - first, who does it help and who does it hurt, and, secondly, does it have the desired effect," he added.
British nationals in Kenya have been advised by the Foreign Office to stay indoors and to exercise extreme caution if they have to travel. Kenya's political leaders have been urged to compromise
About 350 people have arrived at Gatwick Airport on a flight from the Kenyan city of Mombasa. Mr Miliband continued: "It is clear that there are major responsibilities on Kenya's political leaders both in respect of the violence being perpetrated by some of their followers and in respect of the need to reach out and find common ground for a country - whoever actually won the election - which is obviously very deeply divided."
The foreign secretary stressed it was not clear who won last month's election, and said it appeared that there were irregularities on both the government and opposition sides.
Reconciliation
He added: "I very much hope that both Mr Odinga and President Kibaki will realise that actually there is nothing to be gained by either of them in pretending that this is cut and dried."
Mr Miliband said there was no question of the status quo being accepted given the extent of alleged election irregularities and the violence.
Earlier he issued a joint statement with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appealing for an end to the violence.
"We call on all political leaders to engage in a spirit of compromise that puts the democratic interests of Kenya first," they said.
"We pledge the diplomatic and political efforts of our two countries to support reconciliation and national unity at this vital time for Kenya and the region."
Meanwhile, about 350 people have arrived at Gatwick Airport on a flight from the Kenyan city of Mombasa.
One holidaymaker, John Yeomans, 57, from Weybridge, Surrey, was staying at a resort in Shanzu Beach.One holidaymaker, John Yeomans, 57, from Weybridge, Surrey, was staying at a resort in Shanzu Beach.
Machete attack
He said: "It is an absolute tragedy for the Kenyan people that they have to go through this. There is a considerable terrorist police increase, although Nairobi is where most of the problems are."He said: "It is an absolute tragedy for the Kenyan people that they have to go through this. There is a considerable terrorist police increase, although Nairobi is where most of the problems are."
Another, Jonathan Berney, told the BBC: "We saw burned out former buildings, bomb attacks. We saw people in large numbers on the streets.Another, Jonathan Berney, told the BBC: "We saw burned out former buildings, bomb attacks. We saw people in large numbers on the streets.
"You could feel the tension there and you kept looking over your shoulder. It's put us off going back to Kenya and we heard other people say the same. It's just a great shame because it's a beautiful country.""You could feel the tension there and you kept looking over your shoulder. It's put us off going back to Kenya and we heard other people say the same. It's just a great shame because it's a beautiful country."
Nelson Kelem, who lives in Northampton, spoke of how his family was caught up in the violence.Nelson Kelem, who lives in Northampton, spoke of how his family was caught up in the violence.
'Serious irregularities'
"My brother was shot in the leg with a live bullet," he told the BBC."My brother was shot in the leg with a live bullet," he told the BBC.
"One of my nephews, too, was attacked with a machete in his upper arm - the right hand - and they also managed to get him to the clinic and he was stitched up. I didn't imagine it would get that close to where we live.""One of my nephews, too, was attacked with a machete in his upper arm - the right hand - and they also managed to get him to the clinic and he was stitched up. I didn't imagine it would get that close to where we live."
In their statement, Mr Miliband and Ms Rice referred to independent reports of "serious irregularities" in the election counting process.
But they stressed: "The immediate priority is to combine a sustained call from Kenya's political leaders for the cessation of violence by their followers with an intensive political and legal process that can build a united and peaceful future for Kenya."
And they added: "We call on all political leaders to engage in a spirit of compromise that puts the democratic interests of Kenya first... and we pledge the diplomatic and political efforts of our two countries to support reconciliation and national unity at this vital time for Kenya and the region."
The deaths of up to 50 ethnic Kikuyus in a church in the city of Eldoret, has brought the death toll from four days of violence across Kenya to more than 275.
The bloodshed has exposed tribal resentments that have festered for many years.