Kenya's politicians resumed peace talks today in a bid to end weeks of violence in the east African country.
The meetings, mediated by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, came after the two sides agreed on a two-week plan to try to end ethnic clashes that followed the December 27th presidential election, that local observers said was rigged.
Overnight, at least seven people were killed in western Kenya in fighting between Kisii and Kalenjin communities who were battling in an area 250 kilometres west of the capital.
More than 800 people have died and 300,000 have been forced from their homes since President Mwai Kibaki's re-election.
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga has called for international peacekeepers to help restore calm.
South African business tycoon Cyril Ramaphosa, chosen by Mr Annan to head long-term mediation efforts in Kenya, pulled out today because of reservations expressed by the Kenyan government.
"Kofi Annan reluctantly accepts the withdrawal of Cyril Ramaphosa from the role of chief mediator. Withdrawal is a result of reservations expressed by the government," a UN official said in a statement.
What started as a political dispute has uncorked ethnic tensions between tribal groups over land, wealth and power in a country long seen as east Africa's most stable.
Irish charity Goal today supported Mr Odinga's call for UN peacekeepers. "A neutral force is urgently required to keep the protesters and the men of violence apart. If this is not done the death toll will continue to soar alarmingly," chief executive John O'Shea said.
Despite Mr Annan's efforts, Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga remain at loggerheads over the election, which observers said was too badly run for anyone to know the result.