Kenya opposition leader rejects coalition government

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 01-07-2008 09:22

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki says he may form a national unity government to help resolve the crisis that erupted over recent disputed election.

Leader of Kenya''s opposition Orange Democratic Movement has rejected form of national unity government.

But the leader of Kenya's opposition Orange Democratic Movement has rejected the overture. Raila Odinga says he will negotiate only through an international mediator.

Odinga says forming a coalition government will not resolve the crisis. But he says he will accept international mediation to settle the current impasse. Meanwhile, Odinga says he welcomes the imminent arrival of the current chairman of the African Union.

Odinga said, "The mediator is President John Kufuor of Ghana and the indications are that, finally, the other side might have given consent for him to come. As soon as he arrives, negotiations will start."

Meanwhile, Kibaki's spokesman says the president will only go so far to start negotiations.

Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said, "So when Honorable Raila says he is not going to talk to President Kibaki, well, I mean what is President Kibaki supposed to do, kneel down and beg him? The president has said he is very willing to talk to anybody and he is talking to anybody. He is a Democrat, he brought democracy to this country and he is a very non-violent man."

On Sunday, Odinga called for rallies across the country raising the prospect of renewed bloodshed.

Editor:Zhang Ning