We welcome the achievement of Kofi Annan in bringing the two sides together to launch the national dialogue today.

We urge both sides to engage fully and constructively, in a spirit of compromise for the good of the Kenyan nation and the Kenyan people.

We fully support Kofi Annan's efforts, and those of Ben Mkapa and Graça Machel. We call on Kenya's leaders to pursue this dialogue urgently, including in addressing the underlying issues - as they have committed to do - in order to resolve Kenya's problems and put in place the basis of governance that is representative of the democratic will of the Kenyan people.

Meanwhile we urge all leaders to act urgently to ensure the cycle of violence is quickly brought to an end and security is established for all Kenyans - for the good of Kenya and the region.