Egypt appeals for international efforts to end Chad-Sudan tension

January 10, 2008 (CAIRO) — Egypt’s Foreign Minister on Thursday called on international communities to help defuse the current tension between Chad and Sudan.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit made the appeal in urgent messages sent to foreign ministers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana, the chairman of the European Commission, as well as Sudanese and Chadian foreign ministers.

He urged all parties concerned to swiftly act to contain the crisis and encourage the Sudanese and Chadian sides to settle differences through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

Warning of the repercussions of lawlessness on border area between Sudan and Chad and the loss of control over individuals and arms in this area, the Egyptian top diplomat also urged the two sides to exercise the utmost self-restraint, commit to their agreements signed in Libya to end the border conflict, and avoid sliding into further tensions.

The two neighbors trade accusations of backing rebels groups in their respective countries since 2005.Relations between Sudan and Chad have deteriorated since 2004 when refugees and rebels were spilled over into eastern Chad.

(ST)