(Adds quotes, details)

By Nicolo Gnecchi

NAIROBI, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga on Tuesday rejected a government offer of bilateral talks to end a political crisis that has killed 500 people, saying that without international mediation they would be a "sideshow".

Ghana's President John Kufuor, the African Union chairman, was due in Kenya later on Tuesday to meet Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki, whose disputed re-election in Dec. 27 polls unleashed a week of chaos and deaths.

Kibaki invited Odinga, but not Kufuor, to talks on Friday to discuss the crisis.

"We will not attend the talks on Friday. They are a sideshow," Odinga told a news conference.

"We want to engage in the negotiations under Mr Kufuor with utmost seriousness to make sure no stone remains unturned in the search for electoral justice."

Odinga accused Kibaki of trying to divert attention from Kufuor's mission by offering bilateral talks.

"Clearly, he is extremely worried about an independent, international review of the election outcome," Odinga said.

"Mr Kibaki's response to my appeal for peace was to produce a public relations gimmick ... Clearly, Mr Kibaki is still trying to deflect attention from, and undermine, the internationally-agreed and structured negotiations."

Kibaki, who has offered to form a government of national unity with the opposition, is reluctant to accept mediation. Kenyan officials say Kufuor will leave after barely 24 hours. ( Writing by Daniel Wallis; editing by Barry Moody)

AlertNet news is provided by