Arab League welcomes Sudan peace deal

CAIRO, Jan 1, 2005 (Xinhua) — The Arab League (AL) on Saturday welcomed two peace protocols signed by the Sudanese government and a southern rebel group, Egypt’s official MENA news agency reported.

AL Secretary General Amr Moussa was satisfied with this ” positive development” which paved the way for a comprehensive peace agreement in early January, Hossam Zaki, spokesman for the AL chief, was quoted as saying.

The peace efforts exerted by parties concerned finally paid off, he said, adding that the AL would continue its efforts to help bring peace to Sudan.

On Friday, the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) inked two deals in the Kenyan northwestern town of Naivasha.

Analysts believe the agreements would pave the way for a comprehensive peace deal to end Africa’s longest conflict and help the Sudanese government and international parties focus their efforts on Sudan’s troubled western Darfur region.