Sudanese FM calls for agenda for Lebanese-Syrian talks

July 9, 2006 (BEIRUT) — Sudan’s Foreign Minister Lam Akol said Sunday that an agenda for Lebanese-Syrian talks and a list ofparticipants need to be worked out before relations can be normalized.

“In any reconciliation initiative one needs to listen to all parties and analyze all positions to determine the next step to betaken,” Akol told a press conference at the end of an official visit to Lebanon.

“We also have to take into consideration the results of the Lebanese national dialogue which will really help in dealing with Syria,” he said.

Sudan, which currently heads the Arab League, recently launchedan initiative to help Lebanon and Syria repair their relations, which has been tense since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in February 2005.

During his four-day visit Akol met with Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh.

He also met with Lebanese economic and political figures to discuss ways to promote Lebanese-Sudanese relations.

(ST/Xinhua)