Egypt, Chad discuss means to defuse tension with Sudan

Dec 31, 2005 (CAIRO) — Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul-Gheit conferred Saturday with a visiting Chadian delegation on means of defusing the current tension between Chad and Sudan.

The delegation comprises Chadian Minister of Public Health Moussa Khadam and presidential adviser for security and political affairs Abd-al-Rahman Moussa.

The Chadian officials expounded their government’s stance and the reasons behind the deteriorating situation, noting that Chad did not declare war on Sudan, said the Egyptian MENA news agency.

However, Chad is in a state of war with insurgents who on 18 December fiercely attacked the eastern Chadian city of Adri.

Abul-Gheit voiced Egypt’s great concern over the crisis and its keenness on healing the rift between Sudan and Chad, noting that Cairo called on the two countries not to further escalate the situation.

The Egyptian minister highlighted the importance of cooperation between the two sides to contain the situation, and scupper attempts by an irresponsible few to hamper peace efforts.

(ST)