OIC backs Sudan’s steps to solve Darfur issue

Oct 17, 2006 (KHARTOUM) — Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu stressed on Tuesday the organization’s support for the steps taken by Sudanese government to solve the crisis in the western Darfur region.

Following his talks in Khartoum with Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and other senior Sudanese officials, Ihsanoglu told reporters that he was briefed on the reality of the situation in Darfur and efforts being exerted by the Sudanese government to ease the tension as well as the rehabilitation and re-construction works in the affected areas.

Describing the meetings as constructive and useful, he said that he had felt the sincere desire of the Sudanese government to achieve peace and stability in Darfur.

He announced that the OIC and the Sudanese government had agreed to continue bilateral dialogue and consultations regarding the role OIC could play to contribute to the peace process there.

Spokesman of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Ali Sadig, on his part, praised the OIC’s support for Sudan’s position regarding recent international decisions especially the UN Security Council resolution 1706 calling for the deployment of international peacekeeping forces in Darfur, which has been refused by the Sudanese government.

He said that the OIC had issued a statement in which it announced the organization’s support for the stay of the African Union (AU) forces in Darfur and its opposition to the transfer of the AU mission in the region to the UN without the Sudanese government’s agreement.

The OIC chief arrived in Khartoum early Tuesday on an official visit in Sudan which will last for several days.

(Xinhua)