US President George W. Bush yesterday threw his weight behind a power-sharing deal to end a bloody political crisis in Kenya as he flew into neighbouring Tanzania on an African tour.

Bush arrived from Benin to begin the second and longest leg of a five-nation journey that will also take him to Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia.

He will not visit Kenya, which is torn by the worst crisis in its history following a disputed December election, but is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice there tomorrow to back mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan.

Bush was greeted by Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who has been lauded by US officials for democratic and economic progress in the east African country, which will be the centrepiece of the US leader's tour of the continent. During his brief stop in Benin, Bush stepped up the pressure on Kenyan government and opposition leaders to end a post-election crisis that has killed around 1,000 people and left 300,000 homeless.

Rice's mission was "aimed at having a clear message that there be no violence and that there ought to be a power-sharing agreement," Bush told reporters after holding talks with Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi.

US officials said the United States was ready to sanction any individuals who sought to obstruct Kenyan peace moves.

Bush, accompanied by his wife Laura, was welcomed by a marching band of soldiers in red tunics and traditional dancers and drummers wearing shirts and skirts decorated with his image.

He smiled broadly and bobbed his head to the drumming.