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Kenya peace talks 'breakthrough' Progress at Kenya's peace talks
(20 minutes later)
Kenya's ruling party and opposition have reached a "breakthrough" during talks in Nairobi to end post-election bloodshed, officials say. Kenya's ruling party and opposition have agreed they need to work towards a political settlement in Nairobi to end post-election bloodshed, officials say.
The two sides are trying to break the political deadlock that has left the country convulsed by violence since December's presidential polls. The two sides are trying to break the deadlock that has left Kenya wracked by unrest since December's elections.
Details are unclear but chief mediator, ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, is expected to make an announcement soon. Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, told reporters the sides were working towards a settlement but said earlier reports of a deal were premature.
Some 1,000 people have died and 300,000 others fled their homes in the clashes.Some 1,000 people have died and 300,000 others fled their homes in the clashes.
Opposition official William Ruto said the rival parties had reached a deal on an interim joint government, says the BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi. Mr Annan said: "We are all agreed that a political settlement is needed, that a political settlement is necessary and we are working out the details of such a settlement."
'Commendable progress''Commendable progress'
Mr Ruto was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying: "We have agreed to form a joint government. Details of that government, its time and how to share it are under discussions. The agreement represents a significant development and follows weeks of intransigence from both sides, says the BBC's Karen Allen in Nairobi.
Kofi Annan has been trying to broker a deal between the rivals
"We are saying that we are willing to give and take. Initially our stand was that we won the elections, and Mr Kibaki lost the elections, he should resign, and we should be sworn in, but we have said that we are not static on that point."
A senior UN official told our correspondent that the rival parties had reached consensus on a "broad brushstrokes agreement".
There is huge excitement in the Kenyan capital at the apparent breakthrough, which follows weeks of intransigence from both sides, says our correspondent.
Speaking at a prayer service in Nairobi on Friday, President Mwai Kibaki said he was "encouraged by the commendable progress" in the peace talks.Speaking at a prayer service in Nairobi on Friday, President Mwai Kibaki said he was "encouraged by the commendable progress" in the peace talks.
Mr Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election, which observers said was deeply flawed.Mr Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election, which observers said was deeply flawed.
The opposition Orange Democratic Movement, led by Raila Odinga, had said it was cheated of victory and called for a re-run of the poll.The opposition Orange Democratic Movement, led by Raila Odinga, had said it was cheated of victory and called for a re-run of the poll.
But Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity had insisted the opposition should challenge the disputed result through the courts.But Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity had insisted the opposition should challenge the disputed result through the courts.