- Title: KENYA: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrives inl Nairobi for 3 day visit
- Date: 8th June 2010
- Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (JUNE 07,2010) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) VARIOUS OF PLANES LANDING AT JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT VARIOUS OF U.S. VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S PLANE LANDING
- Embargoed: 23rd June 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA78W1K3W7DVBMMXYAS7GH0LIWD
- Story Text: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Kenya's capital Nairobi on Monday (June 07) to meet with key leaders in the country and to discuss peace and stability in the region.
Biden, accompanied by his wife Jill, arrived from Egypt, the first stop on a week-long trip that will include stops in Kenya, and South Africa.
His visit to South Africa will be the last leg of his African trip where he is also expected to watch the United States' opening match of the world cup tournament against England a day after the opening ceremony.
Biden, the highest ranking United States official to ever visit Kenya, is scheduled to meet the country's president and prime minister, Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.
In addition to discussing a range of bilateral issues, Biden will address the two nation's interests in peace and stability in the region, particularly in Sudan and Somalia.
US President Barack Obama On Thursday( June 02) said in a televised interview with a local broadcaster that he was sending his deputy, Biden to Kenya to convey his support for the ongoing constitutional process.
Earlier today, Biden held talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh at a time of heightened tensions in the region after Israeli commandos boarded a flotilla of six aid vessels trying to break Israel's three-year-old naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave last Monday (May 31).
Nine activists were killed in the assault and dozens injured, including some Israeli commandos.
The United States has been less critical of Israel than other friendly states, expressing sympathy for its security concerns while also saying the people of Gaza must get the supplies they need.
Biden has suggested an Israeli probe with international involvement, a proposal embraced by Israel's foreign minister.
Famous for its palm-fringed beaches and wildlife parks, Kenya shares borders with Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia. The country of 36 million people, split into more than 40 ethnic groups, is widely regarded as a haven of relative peace and prosperity in a region plagued by conflict, poverty and disease. Kenya is one of the few countries in Africa whose post-independence history has not been stained by coups, major ethnic conflict or war with neighbours. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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