Sudan, Chad agree to form joint military force

KHARTOUM, Nov. 07, 2003 (dpa) — The Sudanese and Chadian governments have agreed to set-up a joint task force to help maintain security in the two countries, the Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported Friday.

The new force will be responsible for policing cross-border attacks, smuggling and other hostilities.

Talks between the Sudanese Minister of Defence Bakri Mohammed Saleh and Chadian counterpart Mohammed Nouri which ended in the Sudanese capital Khartoum Friday also called for the extradition of criminals and armed groups in each country.

In September Chadian President Idris Deby successfully brokered an agreement between the government of Sudan and the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) defusing fighting in the region of Darfur, western Sudan.

The Sudanese government and SLM rebels agreed Wednesday to a one-month extension of their ceasefire in the Darfur region.