Sudan doing its best to settle Darfur issue: Egyptian FM

CAIRO, June 30, 2004 (MENA) — Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Mahir on Wednesday said that the Sudanese government was doing its best to settle the issue of Darfur rebels.

In press statements, Mahir said Egypt holds that the issue should be solved through peaceful means away from the language of threats to impose sanctions.

What is required is assisting the Sudanese government to carry out its decisions, including facilitating the mission of humanitarian workers in the Darfur region, he pointed out.

Egypt is still in contact with the Sudanese government, said Mahir, noting that Khartoum was keen on reaching a settlement.

Answering a question on the ruling of the Israeli High Court of Justice on changing the route of the separation wall in the Palestinian West Bank, Mahir said that Egypt has always asserted that the building of the wall is illegal. It is also provocative, added Mahir.

The building of the separation wall is part of so many illegitimate Israeli practices, said the Egyptian top diplomat.

Mahir urged the Israeli government to stop all such practices to pave the way for resuming the Middle East peace process.