British Prime Minister Gordon Brown pledged Wednesday Britain's full backing for a fresh diplomatic drive to end the crisis in Kenya sparked by the disputed presidential elections.
Welcoming the decision of African Union leader John Kufuor, Ghana's president, to undertake a reconciliation mission to Kenya, Brown said Britain would do everything in its power to support the efforts.
Kufuor is due in Nairobi to lead the mediation effort, which follows days of post-election bloodshed.
Speaking at 10 Downing Street, Brown said Kufuor was set to hold talks with President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga who have both called for the killing to stop.
"He will work with the parties to ensure reconciliation is brought about and perhaps a chance that some of the people who are at the moment opponents may join a government of national unity," Brown added.
The British prime minister expressed hopes of a government of national unity, saying "There is a responsibility on the part of all opposition and government leaders in Kenya to call on their supporters to end the violence that's taking place."
Violence flared after Kibaki was officially re-elected president in a poll that Odinga claims was rigged. At least 275 people have been killed over four days of rioting and looting, including about 50 burnt to death when a church was set on fire.
Earlier Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband resisted calls by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg for sanctions against Kenya.
Miliband told BBC "There are two key issues - first, who does it help and who does it hurt, and, secondly, does it have the desired effect?"
He said: "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."
British nationals in Kenya have been told to stay indoors and exercise extreme caution if they must go outside.
Source:Xinhua
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