Iran urges peace and national consensus in Sudan

“Iran welcomes any national consensus, tranquility, and constructive measures to reinforce friendship and end conflicts in Sudan,” Ahmadinejad told Sudanese Foreign Minister Deng Alor who was on a tour of Iran.

Ahmadinejad said all sides will suffer in the conflict in Darfur.

“We are interested to see that the Lebanese government and nation live in peace and tranquility.”

Turning to relations between Tehran and Khartoum, the president said, “Iran has established friendly ties with all African states including Sudan and likes to develop these ties to the highest possible extent.”

Investment in Sudan

Ahmadinejad added that Iran is ready to invest in Sudan’s oil and transport sector.

Deng Alor conveyed Beshir’s warm greetings to Ahmadinejad and briefed the president of the latest developments in his country.

Sudan’s top diplomat said Khartoum support Iran’s right to nuclear technology. “This is the right of all countries to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.”

He also said his country is interested to share Iran’s experiences in agriculture and transportation system including a development of railway network.

ICC ruling unacceptable

Ahmadinejad also blasted the International Criminal Court’s verdict against Sudan’s leader Omar Hassan al-Beshir, calling it “illegal and unacceptable”.

The ICC prosecutor has accused Beshir of genocide in Darfur.

On Thursday, Sudan's president launched a national initiative to bring peace to Darfur. However, rebels dismissed the move and boycotted the launch.

But Bashir, addressing top delegates from the Arab League, the African Union, Egypt, Libya and Qatar, along with several Sudanese political parties, said the initiative was serious.

"Despite the difficulties and obstacles ... we declare our determination to reach a final solution this time," Reuters quoted the Sudanese leader as saying.

Bashir said the solution would be based on principles which included ending the violence and supporting the voluntary repatriation of hundreds of thousands of displaced people who have fled their homes since the Darfur conflict flared in 2003.

Government officials said the various Sudanese parties that are part of the initiative will hammer out recommendations on how to resolve the conflict next week.

The Arab League and African Union (AU) are leading efforts to prepare the ground for yet another round of peace talks between the Sudanese government and rebel groups, this time in Qatar.

MS/PA

END

MNA