Sudanese FM in Cairo to arrange for a meeting between al-Bashir, opposition

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael will start an official visit to Cairo to make consultations with the Egyptian leaderhsip on arranging a meeting between President al-Bashir and the Sudanese opposition leaders-- including al-Sadeq al-Mahdi, Muhammad Othman al-Merghani, and Gen. John Garang-- in the context of the Egyptian- Libyan initiative to achieve reconciliation in the country.

In a pre-departure statement in Khartoum on Friday, Othman indicated the positive role played by Egypt to achieve political and national reconciliation in Sudan.

The Sudanese foreign minsiter will discuss, during this visit with his Egyptian counterpart, Amr Moussa, means of revitalizing the joint initiative and setting a date for the political dialogue meeting among the Sudanese parties.

The Sudanese minister said he is carrying with him an integrated picture of the reconciliation efforts laid during the meeting of the "peace and national reconciliation committee," presided over by al Bashir on Wednesday in Khartoum.