Kadhafi praises final peace accord over South Sudan

TRIPOLI, Libya, Jan 10, 2005 (PANA) — Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gadhafi has
hailed the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement on South
Sudan between the government in Khartoum and the Sudan People’s
Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M), to end 21 years of civil war
in Africa’s largest country.

Both sides signed the permanent ceasefire agreement Sunday in
Nairobi, Kenya.

Libyan minister of foreign relations and international co-
operation, Abderrahman Chagham, who attended the signing ceremony
as Col. Kadhafi’s special emissary, said the Libyan leader
praised Sudanese for signing the peace accord.

Following the signing, President Omar Hassan El-Bechir extended
appreciation to Libya for its efforts, which successfully led to
the final peace agreement in South Sudan.

The leader of the SPLA/M, John Garang recently sent a message of
appreciation to the Libyan leader for his solidarity as well as
active and decisive involvement, which helped the protagonists in
South Sudan to an overall final peace agreement after years of a
long and merciless civil war.

“We are pleased to inform you that we signed with the Sudanese
government, a comprehensive and final peace agreement after years
of tough war and hard negotiations.

“You were among our neighbours, the closest to help our people
fulfil their desire for justice, freedom and the building of a
new Sudan,” Garang wrote to Col. Kadhafi.

The Libyan leader’s solidarity and active participation in the
whole process has been decisive in the final results, he added.

Garang later promised to always remember Kadhafi and Libya’s
role, which “will go down in the annals of our people’s history
and struggle”.