Sudan supports role being played by Arab League in peace process

BBC Monitoring Middle East

By Al-Khartoum daily newspaper

KHARTOUM, Nov. 09, 2003 –The minister of external relations, Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, has expressed government’s commitment and support for the role being played by the Arab League in the Sudanese peace process.

Dr Mustafa said the government was keen on having the Arab League join the ongoing negotiations, saying Sudan has throughout been calling for the involvement of Arab countries in the negotiations. He also pointed out that Sudan was not a sole decision maker on who should or should not take part in the talks.

Dr Mustafa also noted the impossibility of appointing a new Arab League special peace envoy to Sudan currently because this can only be done during the regular meeting of the Arab League’s foreign ministers scheduled for March, next year.

In a press statement yesterday, Dr Mustafa said he had received a written message from the Arab League secretary-general in which he commended the decision made by the recent Kampala [IGAD [Inter- Governmental Authority on Development] summit in which the Arab League was made an IGAD observer. He commended Sudan for role it played in reaching and approving this decision.

Meanwhile, Dr Mustafa has announced conclusion of preparations for the visit of the Kenyan peace envoy to Sudan, Gen Lazarus Sumbeiywo, who expected in the country the day after tomorrow, Tuesday. During the visit he is expected to discuss arrangements for the coming round of peace talks