UN’s Annan, Sudan’s FM hold talks on Darfur, peace process

Sept 18, 2005 (UNITED NATIONS) — Secretary-General Kofi Annan today held talks today with Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail, in which they discussed Darfur crisis and peace process in southern Sudan.

The two agreed on the urgent need for a political settlement in Darfur, where tens of thousands of people are estimated to have died and more than 2 million others have been displaced since a conflict erupted in 2003 between the Government, allied militias and rebels seeking a greater share of economic development.

They discussed the implementation of a comprehensive peace agreement and Mr. Annan assured the minister that the UN intended to assist in the implementation of the agreement “over the long haul,” the statement said.

(ST)