Sahel, Sahara grouping winds proceedings in Libya

The 8th session of the executive council of the Sahel and Sahara grouping wound up its proceedings yesterday under chairmanship of Ali Al-Turaiky, secretary of popular committee of the African unity.

ÊÊÊ Egypt and Libya stressed the necessity of maintaining unity of Sudanese territories in a bid to achieve peace and stability of Sudan.

ÊÊÊ On his part, Al-Turaiky stressed significance of Sudan's unity, noting that the Egyptian-Libyan initiative is based upon the national reconciliation, national unity, and maintaining the Sudanese sovereignty.

ÊÊÊ On his part, Ibrahim Ali Hassan, who led Egypt's delegation to the session, stressed necessity of reaching a comprehensive political settlement in Sudan maintaining its regional unity.

ÊÊÊ He stressed Egypt's keenness that the Sahel and Sahara Grouping play an effective role in realising economic integration, settling disputes and achieving security and peace among its countries.

ÊÊÊ In an exclusive interview with Sawt Al Arab radio by telephone from Tripoli, the Egyptian diplomat said the meetings of the eighth round of the grouping's executive council that wound up yesterday attained much importance because they were held following the announcement of the African Union in July, and the issues tabled on their agenda agreed with the Union's aims.

ÊÊÊ Ambassador Hassan, chief of the Egyptian delegation to the meetings, expressed hope that the grouping would continue its role within the context of the African economic system that seeks to set up a common African market within the framework of the African Union.