Sudan seeks Egyptian support for peace process

CAIRO, June 10, 2004 (Xinhua) — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Thursday met with visiting Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha on the latest developments in Sudan’s peace process, the official MENA news agency reported.

Taha, who arrived here Wednesday, briefed Mubarak on the latest developments of the Sudanese peace process after the signing of a peace accord in Nairobi, Kenya, between the government and the Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), said MENA.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher noted at a joint press conference with his Sudanese counterpart Mostafa Othman Ismail that President Mubarak and Taha’s meeting dealt with Egyptian-Sudanese relations in various domains.

Mubarak has issued directives for accelerating the implementation of agreements signed between the two countries in the various domains, Maher said.

On his talks with his Sudanese counterpart, Maher noted that they discussed means to put the Nairobi agreement on Sudanese peace into force.

Egypt has been keen on the interests of Sudan and the integrity of its territories, Maher stressed.

The two sides also discussed bilateral relations within the framework of agricultural, trade and transport projects, he added.

On his part, the Sudanese minister said that the visit to Egypt by the Sudanese first vice president was aimed at explaining details of the recent Sudanese peace agreement.

He stressed the importance of Egypt’s support to all parties to achieve peace and stability in Sudan.

Taha’s visit comes within the framework of a multi-leg Arab tour to post Arab leaders on the situation in Sudan.

Sudan is seeking more support from the Egyptian side to maintain its unity and stability, Sudanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Mutraf Sadeek said earlier.