By Louis Charbonneau
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council onWednesday demanded an end to what it described as "ethnicallymotivated attacks" in Kenya, where a wave of post-electionviolence has left over 1,000 people dead.
In its second non-binding statement issued since theviolence began over a month ago, the 15-nation council orderedKenya to "immediately end violence, including ethnicallymotivated attacks, dismantle armed gangs, improve thehumanitarian situation and restore human rights."
The clashes in Kenya were sparked by a dispute over theDecember 27 re-election of President Mwai Kibaki whichopposition leader Raila Odinga says was rigged.
Most of the more than 1,000 deaths have come from ethnickillings, adding to fatalities from police clashes withprotesters.
Last week a U.S. official suggested the violence in Kenyaconstituted "ethnic cleansing", but U.N. officials have saidthere was no point in applying labels to the situation.
The council statement, much more strongly worded than lastweek's, also expressed "strong concern at the continuing direhumanitarian situation in Kenya and (called) for the protectionof refugees and internally displaced persons."
It also reiterated the council's support for mediationefforts led by former U.N. chief Kofi Annan.
An earlier version of the statement drafted by France andBritain said the council "regrets the abuses in thepresidential election noted by international and domesticobservers." But this was removed due to Russian objections,diplomats said.
The statement did not say what further steps the councilmight take if the violence continues.
Separately, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights,Louise Arbour, sent a mission to Nairobi on Wednesday toinvestigate allegations of "grave human rights violationscommitted in Kenya in the recent weeks," her office said in astatement.
The mission will speak with victims and witnesses,government and opposition officials, civil societyrepresentatives and others during its 3-week stay in Kenya,Arbour's office said.
U.N. Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs JohnHolmes is scheduled to arrive in Kenya on Friday for a 3-dayvisit to assess the humanitarian situation there, Holmes'office said in a statement.
(Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
