Al-Bashir to visit Egypt next week

KHARTOUM, Jan 15, 2004 (SUNA) — The president of the republic, Lt-Gen Umar al-Bashir, is due to pay an official visit to Egypt next week to acquaint his Egyptian counterpart, President Muhammad Husni Mubarak, with the latest developments in the peace process and to review the progress of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

This was announced by the minister of foreign affairs, Dr Mustafa Uthman Isma’il, who appreciated the vital role of Egypt in boosting the peace process in Sudan as well as its close following up to the negotiations between the government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

Replying to a question from journalists on American invitation to President Al-Bashir and SPLM Chairman Dr John Garang, to visit Washington, the minister said that the invitation is linked with completing the negotiations, expressing hope that the two sides will achieve peace soon.

Concerning a proposal put forward by the American special envoy for peace in Sudan, Senator John Danforth, on a referendum for the people of Abiye area regarding the status of the disputed area, Dr Isma’il affirmed that the borders of southern Sudan in 1956 and the Protocol of Machakos had settled this issue.