Both sides in a disputed presidential election in Kenya have agreed not to pursue a recount or audit of the votes, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan said Monday as he suggested a possible solution to a bitter and bloody political crisis. The agreement means the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki will stand despite international monitors citing flaws in the voting.Yet Annan suggested that a "grand coalition" government could lead to a lasting settlement to the political crisis that has convulsed Kenya since Dec. 27, sparking violence that has killed at least 1,000 and displaced 300,000. Such a coalition, he said, could pursue constitutional reforms that would precede another presidential election.
Both sides also have agreed to the creation of an independent committee to investigate irregularities in the Dec. 27 election and suggest reforms.
He said he hoped both sides would reach an agreement by the end of this week.
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