Egypt, Sudan discuss Lebanon, Somalia, Chad
Dec 23, 206 CAIRO) — Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Aboul Gheit held talks on Saturday with Mustafa Osman Ismail, the Sudanese presidential advisor and the Arab League envoy to Lebanon, currently visiting Egypt.
Aboul Gheit discussed with Ismail the Arab League’s efforts to solve the Lebanese crisis, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ala al-Hadidi. He stressed Egypt’s support for Arab League chief Amr Musa’s efforts to reach a political settlement to the Lebanese crisis, the Egyptian MENA reported.
The Egyptian top diplomat urged the Sudanese official to pursue efforts to help the Lebanese parties agree on the basic issues, including the government formation, the international tribunal issue and elections.
Abu-al-Ghayt also underlined the importance of continuing dialogue and steering clear of the language of threats and escalation to help solve the crisis.
Talks between Abu-al-Ghayt and the Sudanese official also tackled Sudanese-Chadian ties following Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmad Allam-Mi’s visit to Egypt.
Somali developments were also discussed during the meeting.
The two sides underlined the need to reach an immediate ceasefire in Somalia and resume talks between the interim Somali government and the Union of Islamic Courts.
Following talks with the Egyptian foreign minister, Ismail said that he briefed Aboul Gheit on the Arab League efforts to solve the Lebanese crisis.
He noted that Arab League Secretary-General Amr Musa would resume his efforts to solve the crisis following the Christmas holidays.
The Sudanese official said that Egypt was supporting the Arab League efforts to solve the Lebanese political crisis.
Talks with the Egyptian minister also tackled ties between Sudan and Chad, said Ismail, adding that he was briefed on the outcome of talks between Aboul-Gheit and Chadian Foreign Minister Ahmad Allam-Mi.
The Sudanese presidential envoy said that Sudan was keen on having distinguished ties with Chad, urging Ndjamena to stop interference in Darfur affairs.
On deploying international troops on borders between Sudan and Chad, Ismail said that Khartoum had not received any proposal about the troops, their mission and locations.
(ST)