The International Community has welcomed Kofi Annan's move to forward the envelope containing the names of the post election violence suspects to the International Criminal Court. ICC.

French ambassador Elisabeth Barbier says the move is intended to prick the government to action against the culture of impunity.

She added that the EU and member states have an overwhelming trust in Annan and that the move was timely.

The envoy reiterated that ICC's involvement in the case will trigger Kenya and its leadership to action against the thriving culture of impunity.

On Thursday, Mr Annan in a statement said he had informed President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga that the Panel had transmitted to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court the sealed envelope and supporting materials entrusted to him by the Waki Commission on 17th October 2008.

"The Panel made this decision in light of the recent agreement reached by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and the delegation of the Government of Kenya comprising Mutula Kilonzo, Minister of Justice, James Orengo, Minister of Lands, and Amos Wako, Attorney General, on 3rd July 2009," he said.

Speaking from Geneva, Mr Annan said he welcomed the Government of Kenya's renewed efforts to implement the recommendations of the Waki Commission and to establish a Special Tribunal", but added that, "any judicial mechanism adopted to bring the perpetrators of the post-election violence to justice must meet international legal standards and be broadly debated with all sectors of the Kenyan society in order to bring credibility to the process."

"The Panel reaffirms its conviction that combating impunity and bringing to justice the perpetrators of the post-election violence in Kenya is fundamental for the country's reform agenda," he added.

"Justice delayed is justice denied. The people of Kenya want to see concrete progress on impunity. Without such progress, the reconciliation between ethnic groups and the long-term stability of Kenya is in jeopardy," he said.

He however said together the other members of the Panel, Mr. Benjamin Mkapa, former President of Tanzania, and Mrs. Graça Machel of Mozambique remained committed to support efforts to implement the comprehensive reform programme under the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation process.

The issue of whether the suspects should be tried locally or at the ICC has been a hot debate in the country with many Members of Parliament supporting the Hague option.

Meanwhile, Centre for Multi-party Democracy has alerted the Interim Independent Electoral Commission to prepare for snap elections in case the names contained in Waki's secret envelope will include those of the high and mighty in the coalition government that may disrupt the country's governance.

The organization's oversight board also called for the creation of a local tribunal to try those who committed minor offences during the post election period.

They say this is necessary if impunity is to be wiped out completely from the country.

The international commission of jurists- Kenya chapter has accused Annan of acting contrary to the agreement made between the Kenya and the ICC prosecutor Morino Ocampo on the procedure of setting up a local tribunal.

The commission however wants the government to act swiftly and set up a local tribunal that will be independent from political interference.