Sudan president to attend African security and peace council

KHARTOUM, May 23, 2004 (SUNA) — President of the Republic Gen. Omer Al-Bashir will participate in the launching of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), which will holds its first sitting at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

The meeting will be attended by 14 African heads of state and government of member countries of the council in its 2004-2006 session.

Sudan Ambassador to Addis Ababa Osman Al-Sayed said in a statement to Sudan News Agency (SUNA) that the council would discuss conflicts in Africa, focusing on Somalia, Liberia and Sudan.

Ambassador Al-Sayed added that President Al-Bashir would brief the council on the causes of Darfur problem and the efforts of the government for restoring stability and security in the area, realizing development and rebuilding the social fabric within the context of the unity of Sudan.

He added that the President of the Republic would brief the African Security and Peace Council on the facilities extended by the government to the UN political and humanitarian delegations and the envoys of the African Union, the Arab League and the international organizations to see the reality of the situations in Darfur.

SUNA learnt that President Al-Bashir will hold talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on bilateral relations and means of boosting them further and regional situations.

President Al-Bashir will also meet a number of African counterparts to discuss bilateral relations and African and international issues of mutual concern.