Sudanese FM says initiative designed to solve Darfur crisis

CAIRO, Nov 01, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) -- Visiting Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor Kuol said here Saturday that Khartoum has recently launched a people's initiative to find a peaceful solution to the Darfur problem in the country's west.

Following talks with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit, Kuol said the Initiative of the Sudanese People aims at reaching a common ground between the government and the opposition regarding the settlement of the Darfur crisis, said Egypt's MENA news agency.

The initiative, launched by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in mid October, will be offered to the Arab League and the African Union, Kuol was quoted as saying.

Sudan will also try to turn the initiative into an UN initiative to help resolve the Darfur crisis, added the Sudanese top diplomat.

At the opening session of the Forum of the Initiative of the Sudanese People for Solving the Darfur Issue, President al-Bashir reiterated on Oct. 16 a "full concern" of his government over the rule of law in Darfur.

Kuol arrived here on Friday to hold talks with Egyptian and Arab League officials to seek Arab efforts to help settle the Darfur issue by political means.

Kuol has also held talks with AL chief Amr Moussa and is expected to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to present a message from President al-Bashir.