Yemeni leader sees Kadhafi playing key role in Darfur

TRIPOLI, Libya, Aug 19, 2004 (PANA) — Yemeni President Ali Abdallah Salah acknowledged the role Libyan leader Colonel Mouammar Kadhafi stands to play in efforts at resolving the crisis in Sudan’s troubled western region of Darfur.

In a telephone conversation with Kadhafi, the Yemeni leader
affirmed support for any move by his Libyan counterpart to help
find a solution to the conflict, according to the Libyan News
Agency (JANA).

The two men also discussed international issues of common
interest, JANA said.

Meanwhile, Sudan’s President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir has reiterated
an appeal for the Libyan leader to personally intervene in the
search for solutions to the Darfur crisis.

Al Bashir urged Kadhafi to spearhead efforts by the African Union
(AU), given his political and moral reputation and the esteem he
enjoys among African leaders.

The appeal from Khartoum was contained in a message delivered
here last Monday by Sudanese Foreign Minister Othman Ismael.

In the message, President Al Bashir hailed Tripoli’s objection to
any foreign intervention in African affairs, and its wish to see
the AU steer the resolution of conflicts in the continent.