Miliband call to end Kenya violence

Tour operators are due to meet again to discuss whether to resume holiday flights to the strife-torn East African state later this week.

However, in a Commons statement, Mr Miliband warned that the potential remained for the post-election violence - which has claimed more than 300 lives - to erupt again.

He told MPs that the travel advice issued last week by the Foreign Office warning against all non-essential travel remained unchanged and urged those Britons still in the country to exercise "extreme caution".

"That advice will remain in place until the security and political situation is clarified," he said.

He welcomed the planned visit by Ghana's President John Kufuor, current chairman of the African Union, in an attempt to mediate between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader, Raila Odinga.

"Kenya's political leaders must be willing to make the necessary compromises to find a way forward. They are more likely to do so with external help," he said.

Opposition leaders have cancelled tomorrow's planned nationwide election protests over fears they could re-ignite the violence that has cost almost 500 lives so far.

Mr Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement who had originally called for mass demonstrations, instead pleaded for peace and said he wanted talks aimed at ending the chaos to have every chance. President Kibaki's government, accused by Mr Odinga of rigging the election, said the proposed demonstrations were illegal.

Around 2,000 Britons are still holidaying in the country, while hundreds more have flown home in the last few days. So far, there have been no reports of any British tourists getting caught up in the unrest.