Sudanese foreign minister demands Arab support over Darfur

CAIRO, Aug 08, 2004 (dpa) — Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail said Sunday he expected Arab support at political, security and humanitarian levels on the conflict in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

Ismail was speaking after a meeting with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmad Abul Gheit shortly before attending an urgent Arab League session aimed at discussing the conflict in Darfur.

The meeting, expected later Sunday, was being attended by several Arab foreign ministers responding to Sudan’s call for an urgent meeting on Darfur.

Ismail said Sudan expected Arab countries to send humanitarian help “to face the humanitarian crisis in Sudan”.

“We expect Arab countries to support Sudan on the security issue and help the Sudanese government so it can send Sudanese police and armed forces to secure roads and camps and arrest the rogue elements in Darfur so we can continue securing civilians,” Ismail said.

Politically, Sudan is seeking Arab support “to keep away the phantom of foreign interference in Sudan.”

Ismail welcomed the announcement of a resumption of talks with rebel forces in the Nigerian capital Abuja announced earlier Sunday by the African Union.

Meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers continued arriving in Cairo for the urgent meeting, with Omani Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alwi bin Abdullah urging for “serious Arab support.”

Bin Abdullah urged Arabs to “benefit from the tragedy of previous sanctions imposed on Iraq and Libya” and called for Arab support to avoid a similar fate in Sudan.

Oussama al-Baz, advisor to Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak, said Sunday Egypt hoped there would be no escalation in the Darfur issue and asked the Sudanese government “not to fall in the trap of racial conflict.”

Al-Baz said Egypt supported all parties in Sudan. “Egypt is not a supporter of one group in Sudan but supports all parties. Egypt considers maintaining the unity of Sudan as a very significant central issue”.