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New effort to end Kenyan violence Clashes end Kenya prayer meeting
(39 minutes later)
Former United Nations chief Kofi Annan is beginning a fresh attempt to end the chaos in Kenya arising from the disputed presidential election Skirmishes between police and youths have broken up an opposition prayer meeting in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, for victims of the post-poll violence.
Mr Annan is due to hold talks with the government and opposition to try to resolve Kenya's political impasse. Tear gas was fired at Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters who stoned police vehicles and torched a nearby government building.
The opposition says it will consider calling off election protests resuming on Thursday if Mr Annan asks them to. Meanwhile, former UN chief Kofi Annan is beginning a fresh attempt to end the chaos arising from the disputed poll.
Mr Annan says he will insist on a solution for the "sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa". The ODM says it will consider calling off protests if Mr Annan asks them to.
His main goal is to establish a dialogue between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga who says his election victory was stolen.
Mr Odinga wants fresh polls or a recount, while Mr Kibaki says he was rightfully elected.
Correspondents say there have been skirmishes at a large Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) interdenominational prayer meeting for victims of the post-election violence in the west of the capital, near the sprawling Kibera slum which was has seen some of Nairobi's worst violence.
A group of ODM youth started throwing stones when police cars arrived at the meeting.
Earlier, a group of commuters in the east of the city were attacked by about 30 unidentified armed men. Police say three people were killed and there have been eight arrests.
Opposition protest rallies were due to resume on Thursday.Opposition protest rallies were due to resume on Thursday.
"Our official position is that we shall meet Mr Annan this afternoon, and if he asks us to call them off, that is a request that will be seriously considered by the ODM leadership, but as of now the rallies are still on," spokesman Salim Lone told the BBC."Our official position is that we shall meet Mr Annan this afternoon, and if he asks us to call them off, that is a request that will be seriously considered by the ODM leadership, but as of now the rallies are still on," spokesman Salim Lone told the BBC.
We can count on the will, maturity, resourcefulness and judgment of the leaders Ex UN boss Kofi Annan
Mr Annan says he will insist on a solution for the "sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa".
His main goal is to establish a dialogue between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga who says his election victory was stolen.
Mr Annan is accompanied in his mission by Graca Michel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.Mr Annan is accompanied in his mission by Graca Michel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
"I am confident that, in this crucial endeavour, we can count on the will, maturity, resourcefulness and judgment of the leaders," Mr Annan said late on Tuesday."I am confident that, in this crucial endeavour, we can count on the will, maturity, resourcefulness and judgment of the leaders," Mr Annan said late on Tuesday.
President Yoweri Museveni of Kenya's neighbour Uganda is also in the country and held talks with President Mwai Kibaki.President Yoweri Museveni of Kenya's neighbour Uganda is also in the country and held talks with President Mwai Kibaki.
ICC complaintICC complaint
Correspondents says ODM leaders left the interdenominational prayer meeting, near the sprawling Kibera slum which was has seen some of Nairobi's worst violence, after the trouble started.
Mr Odinga left the meeting when the trouble started
Reports say a group of ODM youths were angered by the presence of police at the venue and started pelting their cars with stones and the meeting then descended into chaos.
They have now set fire to a nearby building where the government-owned telecommunications company Telkom is based.
Earlier, a group of commuters in the east of the city were attacked by about 30 unidentified armed men. Police say three people were killed and there have been eight arrests.
Hospital officials in Kenya say the political violence that followed the poll has brought a big rise in rape.Hospital officials in Kenya say the political violence that followed the poll has brought a big rise in rape.
One UN agency spoke of an opportunistic atmosphere for gangs of men.One UN agency spoke of an opportunistic atmosphere for gangs of men.
On Tuesday, the opposition filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the government of crimes against humanity.On Tuesday, the opposition filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the government of crimes against humanity.
It says the police used excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.It says the police used excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.
In the latest violence, four people were hacked to death as at least seven were killed in the Rift Valley.In the latest violence, four people were hacked to death as at least seven were killed in the Rift Valley.
More than 650 people have been killed in protests, while 250,000 more have fled their homes. More than 650 people have been killed in protests, while 250,000 more have fled their homes since the 27 December elections.