Egypt urges reluctant rebel groups to join Darfur accord

May 13, 2006 (CAIRO) — Egypt has intensified contacts with the African Union (AU), the faction of Abdelwahid Nour of the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Movement for Justice and Equality for the sake of signing a peace deal in Darfur.

Egyptian President’s special envoy Ambassador Ahmad Hajjaj said in a statement to MENA on Saturday that Egypt’s efforts aim at completing the signing of the deal prior to next Monday, a date set by the AU for the holding of a meeting for the African Council for Peace and Security, in which Egypt is a member.

He said that the peace accord would be endorsed during Monday’s meeting and that the peace deal charter would be open for endorsement.

Hajjaj said that an agreement has been made not to amend the peace deal in Darfur, adding that during the meeting, method of cooperation with the United Nations over implementing the agreement would also be discussed.

(ST/KUNA)