President receives phone call from Annan over peace talks progress

By Sudanese TV

KHARTOUM, Dec 20, 2003 — The president of the republic Lt-Gen Umar al-Bashir this afternoon received a phone call from the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan.

Annan praised the president for the positive development at the Naivasha peace talks as well as progress made in the wealth sharing. He expressed optimism that similar progress would be made in other fields until a comprehensive peace is achieved.

In his part the president of the republic said the will of the Sudanese people will make them achieve permanent and just peace. He expressed his gratitude for Mr Annan and his follow up in the Sudanese peace process.

BBC Monitoring Middle East