France welcomes ceasefire in western Sudan

‏PARIS, April 9, 2004 (KUNA) — The French government warmly welcomed on Friday ‏‏the announcement that the Sudanese factions had reached an agreement in talks ‏‏in neighboring Chad to put an end to fighting in the Darfur region that ‏‏borders Sudan and Chad.‏

‏”This agreement is important. It foresees a 45-day, renewable cease-fire, ‏‏the guarantee of access for humanitarian (aid) to the civilian populations, ‏‏the liberation of prisoners and the disarming of armed militias,” said French ‏‏Foreign Ministry spokesman Herve Ladsous.‏

‏France said it was calling on the Sudanese parties to implement the new ‏‏accord in an “effective and rapid manner”.‏

‏French authorities also called on the government in Khartoum and the Darfur ‏‏rebels to work towards a durable solution to their conflict and Paris said it ‏‏would help any efforts undertaken in this process.