Sudan celebrates Id now when it is “closer to peace”, says Al- Bashir

By Sudanese TV

KHARTOUM, Nov. 26, 2003 — [Newscaster] President of the republic Staff Lt-Gen Umar al- Bashir has addressed the Sudanese nation and congratulated them on the blessed Id al-Fitr. He also received Id wishes from his two vice- presidents, government senior officials, party and civil service leaders, scholars and Christian leaders.

[Unidentified reporter] The Islamic world is celebrating the blessed Id al-Fitr. The citizens have said their prayers country- wide and exchanged good wishes, praying to God to bring peace and stability.

Meanwhile, the president of the republic, Staff Lt-Gen Umar al- Bashir has delivered a speech on the occasion. He said the Id comes when the country was closer to the achievement of peace.

[Al-Bashir] This Id comes when the wings of peace are flapping over our country as a good sign that peace was about to be achieved – a sustainable, valuable and precious peace which had been blessed by the blood of the martyrs. Salute to them where they are with the prophets, the righteous, the martyrs and the pious. We reiterate that we will follow the path.

[Unidentified reporter] Meanwhile, the president of the republic received [Id] wishes in the Guest House from his two vice- presidents, Ustadh [honorific] Ali Uthman Muhammad Taha and Prof Moses Machar, his assistances, advisers, Speaker of the National Assembly, chairman of the constitutional court, chief justice, chairman of general elections, secretary-general of the [ruling] National Congress, chairman of Southern States Coordination Council.

BBC Monitoring Middle East