Ethiopian Church Patriarch meets Sudanese president

Jan 16, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC), Abune Paulos, held talks with Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum on issues related to peace in Africa, office of the Patriarch said.

Abune Paulos, who is also president of the World Council of Churches, on the occasion, said finding African solution is significant to curb the problems of the continent, the office said. “No one loves Africa more than Africans,” the office quoted the Patriarch as saying.

The Patriarch also held talks with senior government officials and religious leaders during his five-day working visit to Khartoum, the Ethiopian ENA reported.

The Patriarch also called on religious leaders to strengthen their efforts towards peace, the office said.

The Patriarch visited the Sudan following the invitation of President Omar al-Bashir. The delegation led by the Patriarch has returned home late on Monday, the office said.

(ENA)