afrol News, 27 February - The leadership of Kenya's opposition Orange Democratic Movement has agreed to call off its planned mass country-wide protests scheduled for Thursday.

The shift was announced after the party's leader Raila Odinga held a meeting with the negotiator of Kenya's crisis talks. ODM had earlier vowed to return to the streets in protest against a deadlock in the peace talks.

"We have postponed until further notice any actions planned for tomorrow," ODM leader told journalists in Nairobi, expressing his party's commitment to the stalled talks.

Mr Annan is also engaging President Mwai Kibaki for a meeting. On Tuesday, he suspended the talks, proposing to hold direct talks with the two leaders to speed up the negotiation process.

The former UN chief said "the talks are still going on, but it is important that the leaders of the two sides take responsibility and become directly involved in the talks." He said the crisis at hand is not about an individual or political destiny, but "about Kenya and the entire region."

Talks between the government and opposition on securing a power-sharing deal have stalled.

Mr Annan is also expected to meet the African Union Chairman, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, who flew to the East African country to douse the looming deadlock over power-sharing, the creation of a Prime Minister and the responsibilities attached to the post. The two sides could not also agree on fresh election should the coalition fail.

The European Union has issued a strongly worded statement, warning Kenyan leaders to be wary of the consequence of their failure to resolve the political crisis.

"The country clearly stands at the crossroads. The people of Kenya crave for a political solution now in order to bring to an end the ongoing crisis and the unacceptable violence that have torn the country apart," said the EU Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel.

"I am strongly concerned that the Kenyan leaders still have not delivered on their commitment to reaching agreement on the real sharing of power and reforms needed to effectively govern Kenya," he said, urging Kenyan leaders to take the full measure of their responsibilities to get to an agreement.

While announcing the EU's readiness to assist the peace process, the EU Commissioner warned that those who encourage the contrary would face the consequences.

"The European Union is determined to take all appropriate measures and all options are being considered," he said.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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