UK official to arrive in Sudan Monday

Oct 15, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — British Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn will arrive in the country on Monday 16 October for one-day official visit.

Benn will meet the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, the First Vice-President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, Presidential aide Nafi Ali Nafi, Foreign Minister Lam Akol and the Minister of International Cooperation, al-Tagani Salih Fidail.

During the meetings, Benn will discuss with Sudanese officials latest developments in Darfur and bilateral ties between Khartoum and London.

This visit comes in the framework of the European will to put pressure on the Sudanese government to accept the deployment of UN force in Darfur. Other European officials are expected in Khartoum in the next weeks.

(ST)