French President to meet Sudanese counterpart in Qatar
November 26, 2008 (PARIS) — French President will meet his Sudanese counterpart next week on the sideline of the United Nations Summit on Financing for Development which will be held in Doha on November 29.
A French presidential spokesperson announced today that President Nicolas Sarkozy will discuss Darfur conflict with the Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir who is facing a possible arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) during the next months.
The French official said that Sarkozy is very keen to revive the peace process in Darfur with help of Qatar. Nonetheless he underlined the talks would not include any change in the French position on the ICC.
“We are waiting for developments from Khartoum on subjects linked to the International Criminal Court. We are keeping up the pressure and the president will say this to President Beshir,” he added.
The ICC judges are examining 10 charges filed by the chief prosecutor against the Sudanese president on genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. If they endorse it, Bashir would be the first sitting president who is indicted by the World court.
France and Britain said they could consider the suspension if Sudan cooperates with the ICC on the first case and delivers two suspect to the court, also they ask for swift resolution of the conflict through talks with the rebels in the war torn region.
Sarkozy is also expected to speak with Bashir about the relations with Chad where are French troops are deployed in accordance with bilateral military cooperation deal but also they take part in the European force in eastern Chad.
France hopes relations between the two neighbouring countries remain calm, he said.
Yesterday France said it appointed Issa Maraut, a diplomat who worked previously in Khartoum, as special envoy for the peace efforts undertaken by Qatar.
The French foreign ministry spokesperson, Eric Chevallier further said France believes that “the peace process and that Qatar’s initiative should not aim to intervene on the question of International Criminal Court.”
(ST)