Bashir meets Merghany in Asmara for the first time since 1989

The Sudanese President Omar El-Bashir headed to the Eritrean capital Asmara yesterday on a one day visit to fulfill the invitation of the Eritrean president Asias Aforki.

During the visit, El-Bashir will meet 'Mohammed Ossman El-Merghany, the head of the opposition Sudanese alliance - head of the democratic Union party, in the first direct meeting between them since 1989.

Ghazi Salah El-Din , the Sudanese information and culture minister - the spokesman of the government, expressed in press declarations yesterday his hope that the government's proposal during the meeting between El-Bashir and El-Merghany in Asmara may find a response that copes with the necessities of the current phase and the challenges confronting us.

On the side of the opposition alliance, El-Merhany welcomed meeting President El-Bashir saying that he will be honest and serious with him to achieve the people's interests.

Sources in the unionist party said "El-Marghany aims at knowing El-Bashi's stances and his readiness to accept a comprehensive and peaceful solution to put an end to the war in Sudan and to open the way for establishing a democratic country."