Egypt calls Sudan and Chad to exercise maximum restraint

May 17, 2009 (CAIRO) — Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Sunday called on Sudan and Chad to exercise maximum restraint and avoid military confrontation.

Aboul Gheit told reporters yesterday that a possible military confrontation between Sudan and Chad will not only lead to more complex relations between the two countries, but will add new obstacles to the ongoing efforts reach political settlement to Darfur crisis.

Sudan said Chad had raided three times during the week end the area of Jabel Sandu south of El Geneina, which lies about 60 kilometers inside the country. However Khartoum refused to react militarily to the Chadian incursions calling for political solution to Chadian internal problems.

Also Chad yesterday announced the end of its military operations inside Sudan disclosing that it had carried out ground operations to clear up the bases of the Chadian rebels inside the Sudan up to 40 klm.

The minister pointed out that Egypt is closely following the developments between the two countries, adding that Cairo would contact concerned regional and international parties to try to contain the crisis.

He warned of dire consequences that could increase the seriousness and complexity of the situation in the border, and threaten to increase the instability in the region.

(ST)