Afourki in Cairo to discuss the conflict with Sudan

The Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Maher has announced, hours after the arrival of Eritrea's President Asyas Afourki to Cairo, that Egypt is interested in solving the differences exited between Sudan and Eritrea, while the Sudanese foreign minister called on Eritrea not to interfere in Sudan's affairs.

Maher said following his meeting with the leader of the Sudanese Umma party al-Sadeq al-Mahdi "it is natural when to meet with the Sudanese brothers to discuss the issue of relations with Sudan's neighbors." He added that the case is not an issue of interference or unwanted mediation but that the matter falls in the course of the care to have "strong relations and normal relations between us."

He continued " it is also natural that when a meeting takes place with the Eritrean President Asyas Afourki, talks will be on relations with Sudan and other neighbors." Afourki arrived in Cairo yesterday in a several-day visit to Cairo during which he will hold talks with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on developments in the African horn amid Arab accusations to Asmara of interfering in Sudan.