Nairobi: Kenya's rival factions girded for fresh political battles today at the first sitting of the new parliament as former UN chief Kofi Annan was set to make an effort to ease the crisis triggered by last month s disputed presidential election.

President Mwai Kibaki was set to open the country's 10th parliament at 03:30 IST, almost three weeks he after won re-election by a razor-thin margin the opposition claims was engineered by vote fraud.

However most of his close allies will not be sitting in the chamber, having lost their parliament seats to the opposition in legislative elections also held on December 27.

Meanwhile, Annan was expected in Nairobi to lead a panel of senior African political figures in the latest attempt to resolve the politica crisis which has triggered violence that has killed hundreds and forced over a quarter of a million people from their homes.

"No party should create facts on the ground or engage in acts that complicate the search for a negotiated solution," Annan said in a statement prior to his departure.

"The interests of the nation and the people must be paramount," added Annan, who faces a Herculean task that last week defied his fellow countryman, African Union chief and Ghana president John Kufuor.

The former UN secretary general has agreed to work with both Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose hardline positions remain unchanged, although the government has denied the need for international mediation.

"We won the elections so we do not see the point for anyone coming to mediate power-sharing," Roads and Public Works Minister John Michuki, a hardline member of Kibaki's new cabinet, told reporters yesterday.
Source : PTI