Mbeki mum on Kenyan election

2008-01-04 16:35

Pretoria - President Mbeki on Friday declined to disclose his views on the legitimacy of Kenya's presidential elections, saying it was too early to make any pronouncements.

Addressing the media at his official residence in Mahlambandlovu in Pretoria - following a meeting with out-going United Nations special envoy to the DRC, William Swing - Mbeki said there were several initiatives meant to resolve the election problems in Kenya and that these should be allowed to come to a conclusion.

"Its better to see what the outcome of this process is first.

"We should not take any steps that will make the resolution of the problem difficult," he said.

However, he conceded that the Kenyan situation was of major concern.

"Its a worrying situation and we are deeply concerned," he said.

He said that he had confidence in the initiatives instituted by the African churches in Kenya, led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"We support the initiative taken by the churches and are awaiting a report from them," he said.

- SAPA