Egyptian president meets SPLM chairman

CAIRO, Sep 29, 2004 (MENA) — President Husni Mubarak received on Wednesday Leader of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement John Garang, currently visiting Egypt.

President Mubarak meets with John Garang, leader of the rebel SPLM in Cairo today.

During the meeting held at the presidential palace in the Cairo neighbourhood of Heliopolis, Garang informed the Egyptian president of the latest developments in the Sudanese peace negotiations and the situation in south Sudan.

Following the meeting, Garang described as excellent his talks with President Mubarak, pointing out that they tackled the situation in Sudan, peace negotiations in Nivasha, the situation in Darfur region and the ongoing dialogue in Cairo between the Sudanese government and the Democratic National Grouping.

The talks covered the international stance regarding the Sudanese issue and the need to resume Nivasha negotiations in order to conclude a final peace agreement as a necessary step towards realizing peace all over the country, he said, asserting the need for Egypt’s support in this respect.

As for the situation in Darfur, Garang said the SPLM believes in the importance of obtaining self-rule in Darfur and south and east Sudan.

Asked whether or not a final agreement is expected to be reached during Nivasha talks to be held on 7 October, he said six protocols have already been signed during the month of June and two supplements should be agreed upon. One is on reaching a ceasefire agreement and the other pertains to ways to implement the agreements reached, he said.

He voiced hope that an agreement would be reached on these two supplements as soon as possible.