June 11, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) freed today two Sudanese armed forces personnel detained after clashes that took place in South Darfur last January.

"The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today facilitated the transfer of two Sudanese armed forces personnel to government authorities in Al Fashir, the capital city of North Darfur State," said a statement released on Saturday.

The servicemen were released to ICRC staff near the North Darfur town of Kutum.

The Red Cross, which facilitated the transfer as its capacity as neutral intermediary, provided transport and other assistance for the released detainees. "However, we did not take part in the negotiations that led to the handover," said Angela Cotroneo, the ICRC staff member who led the transfer operation.

The Sudanese government and LJM rebels pledged last month in a conference gathering Darfur stakeholders to sign a peace agreement based on a document adopted by the meeting.

Since the two parties are discussing pending issues related to the post of vice-president, delay of a referendum on the administrative status of Darfur and security arrangements.

Despite their pledge to finalize the agreement within a week, the parties are still negotiating in Doha. Khartoum said the referendum should take place before the adoption of a new constitution while the LJM rebels want it to be delayed for three years.

Ghazi Salah Al-Deen, presidential adviser tasked with the Darfur file, is currently in Doha to take part in the ongoing discussions with LJM over the peace deal.

Also, the Burkina Faso foreign minister and joint chief mediator Djibril Bassolé and Qatari state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed bin Abdullah Al-Mahmoud are expected to visit Addis Ababa for a meeting with the head of the African Union Jean Ping to brief him on the outcome of stakeholders conference.

(ST)