Kenya opposition supporters clash with police

NAIROBI, Kenya (CNN) -- Supporters of the opposition party clashed with police Tuesday after the party suspended talks with the government over power-sharing.

Police used tear gas on the crowd of Orange Democratic Movement supporters in Nairobi's large Kibera slum, according to a CNN cameraman.

The protesters began demonstrating after the opposition party said it was pulling out of talks with President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity.

"Negotiations between the ODM and PNU ... [are] suspended until PNU fully recognizes the 50-50 power-sharing arrangement and the principle of portfolio balance," ODM secretary general Anyang Nyongo said.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga told The Associated Press he was not aware of the protests in Kibera. "They should hold their horses," Odinga said. "Talks have not collapsed, but have just been adjourned."

Under the power-sharing agreement, signed February 28, Cabinet positions were to be distributed equally. However, the two parties have disagreed over key ministries in the Cabinet.

Hours after the opposition party suspended talks, Kenya's vice president said lawmakers from the PNU and allied parties support the idea of forming a new Cabinet soon, AP reported.

Lawmakers said "the president's hands should be completely untied ... so that he can form a Cabinet that will be able to serve this country very well," AP quoted Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka as saying.

The United Nations-brokered power-sharing agreement, which Kibaki and Odinga signed, followed two months of violence after the December 27 presidential election.

Incumbent Kibaki narrowly won the election amid allegations that the vote was rigged.

The clashes left about 1,000 people dead and displaced more than 300,000, according to the United Nations. E-mail to a friend

CNN's David McKenzie contributed to this report.

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