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Kenyan opposition leader singles out France as example

Kenya's opposition leader said France can serve as a model for Kenya because its political system has allowed rival political parties to work together in government.

There are doubts about how well Raila Odinga, who leads the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, can work with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki under a power-sharing deal the bitter rivals signed on Thursday.

Odinga accused Kibaki of stealing a Dec. 27 vote, and their dispute sparked fighting that killed more than 1,000 people and tarnished the reputation of this East African nation.

"This is not the only situation where you have power sharing ... in the French Constitution, there is what is called cohabitation," Odinga said on Saturday. "And you cohabit, and there are ways of resolving disagreements or misunderstanding by way of dialogue, and it works."

Odinga said that as prime minister he will constantly consult with Kibaki to ensure the government works smoothly.

"I will be discussing first with the president before I implement [policies] and then, as the agreement says, I will also be reporting to the Cabinet," Odinga said.

The bitterness between Odinga and Kibaki runs deep, however. Both men have been lashing out at each other since the election. They have traded accusations about inciting violence, stealing the vote, and destroying the nation.

Former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, who mediated their agreement, had to prompt Kibaki and Odinga to shake hands on Thursday as the cameras rolled.

Still, a deal was signed, and opposition supporters have been celebrating across towns and cities in opposition strongholds since the signing.

Annan said in a statement he would leave Kenya yesterday to attend a meeting in Uganda and later go to Geneva, but he is confident talks will progress well. He said former Nigerian foreign affairs minister Olu Adeniji will be the chief mediator in his absence.

"It is clear that there is a fresh commitment to this process and I am convinced that these talks will now go smoothly and rapidly," Annan said.
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