Kenya's Kibaki says he is ready for unity govt

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki met the top U.S. diplomat for Africa on Saturday and said he was ready to form a government of national unity to end the turmoil that followed the country's disputed election.

"The president said he was ready to form a government of national unity that would not only unite Kenyans but would also help in the healing and reconciliation process," a statement from the presidential press service said.

It was issued after Kibaki met U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer. Earlier, Frazer had talks with opposition challenger Raila Odinga.

"Frazer commended President Kibaki for reaching out to the opposition in order to stop the violence and called on all parties involved to embrace dialogue as a way out of the current situation," the statement said.

She said Kibaki had shown "commitment to ending the political impasse" by extending an "olive branch to the opposition", according to the statement.

(Editing by Andrew Dobbie)