Cairo talks with the opposition alliance to continue after Eid Fiter: Sudanese official

KHARTOUM, Nov 3, 2004 (SUNA) — The government delegation to Cairo negotiations with the opposition Democratic National Alliance returned home Tuesday evening following the conclusion of the second round of negotiation on Monday where the two sides have agreed to finalize the talks after the Eid Fitr, at a date to be agreed upon.

The head of the government delegation to the Cairo negotiation, Nafie Ali Nafie, has pointed out in press statement at Khartoum Airport that there was full agreement on the issues on the agenda save some of the points that are still to be discussed.

He said agreement was reached on continuation of negotiations on the remaining points in the coming round of talks.

He commended the spirit that prevailed during the talks and that the prevailing spirit was positive and that it would lead to an agreement between the two parties in the coming round of negotiations.

Nafie said the Free Lions faction did not pull out from the round of talks and that they only said they have to go back to consult with their grassroots, expressing hope that they would take part in the coming round.

He said the government delegation was never adopting hard-line position. He said the Naivasha protocols would be the reference that would govern the negotiations.

He denied knowledge about what was reported about an Egyptian call for a comprehensive conference that would bring together all the parties to the negotiations in each of Cairo, Abuja and Nairobi to discuss the issues of the country.

The government delegation briefed the Secretary General of the National Congress, Professor Ibrahim Ahmed Omar, on the outcome of the negotiations.