Sudan keen to cooperate with UN to handle Darfur conflict

KHARTOUM, May 18, 2005 (Xinhua) — Sudanese President Omar El-Bashi confirmed here Wednesday his government’s readiness and keenness to cooperate with the United Nations to handle the Darfur conflict and to restore peace and stability in Sudan.

El-Bashir made the remarks after meeting with UN Special Advisor Lakhdar Brahimi who is visiting Sudan, the Sudan News Agency reported.

In a press statement following the meeting, Brahimi said he was briefed by El-Bashir on the six-party African mini-summit on Darfur held in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on May 16-17.

He stressed the need to continue the flow of humanitarian aid, find a political solution for the Darfur conflict and restore peace and stability to encourage the displaced people to return to their homes.

Brahimi arrived in Khartoum last Friday on an official visit to Sudan.

During his visit, Brahimi held meetings with Sudanese official son the security and humanitarian situations in Darfur as well as the Abuja peace talks and how to implement the southern Sudan comprehensive peace agreement.

He paid a visit to the war-plagued western Darfur region where he held talks with the rebels there.

He also visited southern Sudan and met with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’s leader John Garang in his current headquarters in Rumbek town in southern Sudan.