Sudan has been able to overcome UN troops in Darfur – FM
March 26, 2007 (RIYADH, Saudi Arabia) — Foreign minister has stated that Sudan through negotiations with the United Nations and the African Union has been able to overcome the deployment of international peacekeeping force in Darfur region.
Speaking during the opening session of the Arab summit’s foreign ministers’ preparatory meeting from the Conferences Palace in Riyadh, Lam Akol said that Sudan has been able to overcome Security Council Resolution 1706 related to the deployment of over 22.000 UN peacekeepers in Darfur region under the authority of Chapter seven.
The further said Sudan is implementing a plan reached in Abuja in November 2006 on the support of the UN to the African Union Mission in Sudan. He further urged the UN to carry out its commitment in this regard.
Akol also said that Sudan rejected the accusations against two Sudanese citizens of committing war crimes in Darfur, adding that they do not have sound legal bases as the Sudanese judiciary has already begun to look into the issue. He adds that Sudan’s position is not to hand over any Sudanese citizen to be tried outside the Sudanese judiciary system, even those who carry arms against the government.
Sudanese foreign minister also outlined his government’s efforts to implement the Naivasha Agreement despite obstacles saying that “we are determined not to go to war again.”
Akol also speaks about Sudan’s efforts to strengthen ties with the Africa and China and urges the Arab League to ratify agreements reached in Khartoum.
He starts by outlining the efforts that Sudan made during its presidency to support various Arab causes. Regarding the Palestinian issue, Akol says that Sudan made contacts with Palestinian leaders to halt the “inter-fighting and strengthen Palestinian unity.” He also welcomes the Mecca agreement reached between Fatah and Hamas, and hails Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah for facilitating the agreement. He also speaks about the contacts that Sudan undertook during the “Israeli brutal aggression against fraternal Lebanon” and the efforts that the Sudanese President undertook to mediate between various Lebanese political leaders.
Akol also speaks about the “dangerous decline” in Iraq and the difficulties of reaching national reconciliation as result of “sectarian violence”, urging Iraqis to discard violence and sectarianism. He also speaks about the situation in Somalia, stressing the need to continue efforts to reach national conciliation.
He ended by inviting Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal to take over the chairmanship of the preparatory ministerial meeting.
(ST)