Annan: Kenya Rivals Agree to Coalition

[February 28, 2008]  NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Kenya's rival politicians reached an agreement Thursday on a coalition government after weeks of bitter negotiations on how to end the country's deadly post-election crisis, mediator Kofi Annan said.

Annan offered no immediate details on the deal between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who both claim to have won the country's Dec. 27 presidential election. Local and international observers have said the results were manipulated, making it unclear who won.

"We have come to an understanding on the coalition government," Annan told reporters. He added: "All I can say is that we do have an agreement."

The election dispute set off clashes that killed more than 1,000 people and eviscerated the East African country's economy. Post-election violence has largely subsided in recent weeks, but the country remains on edge.

There were signs Wednesday that the two sides might be moving toward an agreement. Odinga's supporters called off planned protests under pressure from Annan, and Kibaki offered his first public commitment to creating the prime minister's post that his rivals have demanded.

[Associated Press; By TOM MALITI]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.