Sudan expects Egypt’s support for peace talks: diplomat

CAIRO, Nov 13, 2003 (Xinhua) — Sudan hopes that Egypt will continue its efforts to help push forward Sudan’s peace talks, Sudanese Ambassador to Egypt Ahmed Abdel Halim said here on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher, Abdel Halim said that the Sudanese leadership was keen to hold continued consultations with Egypt in peace-making in the war-torn country.

He said that during the meeting, he briefed Maher on the latest developments of the peace process in Sudan.

“Intensive coordination is underway to accelerate integration between Sudan and Egypt,” the ambassador said.

In late October, peace talks between Sudanese First Vice- President Osman Ali Taha and rebel leader John Garang have been adjourned in Kenya after making progress.

“Having reached the end of the scheduled period, the parties have agreed to adjourn for the month of Ramadan and to convene the next session on Nov. 30,” Kenyan retired general Lazarus Sumbeiywo said in a statement.

“Progress was made in resolving certain aspects of the outstanding issues, while some areas remained to be finalized,” he said.

During a three-way meeting together with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, both Taha and Garang pledged to sign a peace deal this year, spurring hopes of putting an end to protracted civil war.

The Sudanese government and the SPLA scored a breakthrough in July, 2002, when they agreed on a referendum on southern independence after a six-year transition, but disputes on oil and power sharing as well as settling disputed territories have hindered further progress.