PM backs fresh Kenya peace drive

Violence and looting erupted after the disputed elections

Gordon Brown has pledged the UK's full backing for a fresh diplomatic drive to end the crisis in Kenya sparked by the disputed presidential elections.

Mr Brown welcomed the decision of African Union leader John Kufuor, Ghana's president, to undertake a reconciliation mission to Kenya.

He said Britain would do everything in its power to support the efforts.

Mr Kufuor is due in Nairobi to lead the mediation effort, which follows days of post-election bloodshed.

Violence flared after Mwai Kibaki was officially re-elected president in a poll that opposition leader Raila 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.

Sanctions call

Speaking at 10 Downing Street, Mr Brown said Mr Kufuor was set to hold talks with President Kibaki and Mr 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," Mr Brown added.

Gordon Brown expressed hopes of a government of national unity

"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."

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband resisted calls by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg for sanctions against Kenya.

Mr Clegg said the east African country should be given a two-week deadline to carry out a full recount of votes or face Commonwealth and European Union sanctions.

But Mr Miliband told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "There are two key issues - first, who does it help and who does it hurt, and, secondly, does it have the desired effect?"

He added: "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."

'Irregularities'

The foreign secretary stressed it was not clear who won last month's election, and said it appeared that there were irregularities on both the government and opposition sides.

Earlier he issued a joint statement with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appealing for an end to the violence.

You could feel the tension there and you kept looking over your shoulder Jonathan Berney, holidaymaker UK expat's fears

Meanwhile, about 350 people have arrived at Gatwick Airport on a flight from the Kenyan city of Mombasa.

One holidaymaker, John Yeomans, 57, from Weybridge, Surrey, was staying at a resort in Shanzu Beach.

He said: "It is an absolute tragedy for the Kenyan people that they have to go through this. There is a considerable terrorist police increase, although Nairobi is where most of the problems are."

British nationals still in Kenya have been told to stay indoors and exercise extreme caution if they must go outside.