Ban urges Kenyans to find acceptable solution to crisis

( dpa )- UN Secretary General Ban Ki -moon called on Kenya's leaders to urgently seek a solution to the political crisis that has killed hundreds and disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

The UN said the death toll as a result of post-presidential election fighting stood at more than 500 and more than 250,000 Kenyans had been displaced and were in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

Ban called for "an acceptable solution through dialogue so that the political crisis is resolved and the country returns to its peaceful and democratic path."

"The secretary general wishes to express his continued support for the various efforts being made by regional and international actors to help the Kenyans arrive at a lasting solution," UN spokeswoman Michelle Montas said.

The statement was issued after mediation efforts by the African Union and Ghanaian President John Kufuor in Nairobi failed to work out an agreement to end the fighting and political turmoil.

Kufuor said before leaving Nairobi Friday that former UN secretary general Kofi Annan is expected to travel to Kenya next week to lead mediating efforts. But Ban's statement made no mention of Annan assuming important diplomatic efforts in Kenya.