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Miliband appeals for Kenya calm PM backs fresh Kenya peace drive
(about 2 hours later)
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband has resisted calls to impose sanctions against Kenya amid the escalating post-election violence. Gordon Brown has backed a fresh diplomatic drive to end the crisis in Kenya by helping broker a joint Africa Union and Commonwealth peace mission.
The prime minister welcomed the decision by African Union leader John Kufuor, Ghana's president, to undertake a reconciliation mission to Kenya.
He pledged Britain would do everything in its power to support the efforts.
Mr Kufuor is due in Nairobi to lead the mediation effort, which follows days of post-election bloodshed.
Speaking in 10 Downing Street, Mr Brown said he understood that both Kenya's government and the leading opposition party have agreed to talks with Mr Kufuor.
He said the visit was a chance to bring about reconciliation in the east African state which has been hit by escalating violence in the wake of disputed elections.
Common ground
Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband resisted calls to impose sanctions against Kenya.
But he urged political leaders in the east African country to find common ground as international pressure mounted for order to be restored.But he urged political leaders in the east African country to find common ground as international pressure mounted for order to be restored.
British nationals in Kenya have been advised to stay indoors or to exercise extreme caution if they do go outside.British nationals in Kenya have been advised to stay indoors or to exercise extreme caution if they do go outside.
At least 250 people have been killed during four days of violence.At least 250 people have been killed during four days of violence.
Violence flared after Mwai Kibaki was officially re-elected president in a poll that opposition leader Raila Odinga claims was rigged.Violence flared after Mwai Kibaki was officially re-elected president in a poll that opposition leader Raila Odinga claims was rigged.
We can't afford to allow Kenya to go the way of Zimbabwe Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg Clegg's Musharraf questionWe can't afford to allow Kenya to go the way of Zimbabwe Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg Clegg's Musharraf question
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.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.
'Irregularities'
He warned: "We can't afford to allow Kenya to go the way of Zimbabwe.He warned: "We can't afford to allow Kenya to go the way of Zimbabwe.
"(We) need to be extremely clear about the consequences of a democratic process that has gone awry if we are to avoid what appears to be the risk now of real ethnic bloodshed taking place." Referring to the sanctions call during an interview for BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Miliband said: "There are two key issues - first, who does it help and who does it hurt, and, secondly, does it have the desired effect."
Democratic interests
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.
"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.
David Miliband was cautious about the prospect of sanctionsDavid Miliband was cautious about the prospect of sanctions
"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." He added: "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.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."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. Compromise
Earlier he issued a joint statement with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appealing for an end to the violence.Earlier he issued a joint statement with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appealing for an end to the violence.
You could feel the tension there and you kept looking over your shoulder Jonathan Berney, holidaymakerYou could feel the tension there and you kept looking over your shoulder Jonathan Berney, holidaymaker
"We call on all political leaders to engage in a spirit of compromise that puts the democratic interests of Kenya first," they said."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.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.
"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."
The Foreign Office is warning against all but essential travel to areas of Mombasa and the capital Nairobi.