Sudanese president in landmark meeting with rebel officials in Khartoum

By Sudanese TV

KHARTOUM, Dec 09, 2003 — The president of the republic, Staff Lt-Gen Umar al-Bashir, has reiterated that the attainment of a just and comprehensive peace is the strategic objective and option of all the people of Sudan.

He said this when he received the people’s movement [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] delegation which is visiting the country and which briefed him on the talks it held with a number of officials and leaders of political parties and political organizations in the country.

In a press statement, the SPLM spokesman, Yasir Arman, commended the brotherly spirit and mutual understanding that prevailed during the meetings the delegations held.

He said the rebel delegation found out that the people of Sudan were convinced of the need to bring about peace and work in concert to build a united and democratic Sudan.

He said the delegation conveyed the greetings of the leader of the SPLM, John Garang, to Lt-Gen Al-Bashir and stressed the SPLM’s keenness to reach a comprehensive peace accord.

BBC Monitoring Newsfile