UN chief hails Arab-African committee on Darfur peace

September 12, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) – U.N. Chief today hailed the establishment of new joint Arab and African Ministerial Committee to lend support to ongoing efforts to achieve peace in Sudan’s Darfur.

Arab ministerial council formed on September 9, a ministerial body co-chaired by the Qatari Prime Minister, Hamad bin Jasim, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Jean Ping and Arab League Secretary General Amr Musa.

The panel is charged with the organisation and sponsorship of peace talks in Qatar between the Sudanese government and the rebel movements.

As it is mentioned in the Arab league resolution, the committee should coordinate its efforts with the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur Djibril Bassolé who will mediate the talks.

Bassolé held talks with the Arab League chief last week on this initiative; he also visited Pari before his return to Khartoum yesterday.

In a short statement issued today, the joint mediator expressed concern over last week clashes in northern and western Darfur.

He called on “all parties to exercise restraint and cease all military activities in order to protect civilians and create conditions for political dialogue.”

(ST)