Sudan urges France to review its stances

January 11, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Ali Ahmed Karti, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on France to review its policies towards Sudan and to work clearly in support of peaceful solution to the conflict in Darfur

The Sudanese official made this statement when he received a copy of the credentials of the new French Ambassador to Sudan, Patrick Nicoloso.

The Sudanese President Omer Al-Bashir criticized France many times for not pressing Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur, a rebel leader who lives in France since two years, to participate in peace talks.

Ali al-Sadig, the spokesman of Foreign Affairs told the official SUNA that the meeting dealt with relations between the two countries and how the current level does not meet the aspirations of the Sudan.

He further added that France should play a positive role towards the biggest issues in the Middle East in general and Sudan in particular.

For his part, the new French ambassador pledged to do its utmost effort for the development of bilateral relations between Khartoum and Paris.

He stressed France’s support for Arab-African initiative led by the State of Qatar to find a peaceful settlement of the Darfur crisis.

The former French ambassador, Christine Robichon, who worked in Sudan during four years left Khartoum at the end of December 2008.

(ST)