Khartoum shows readiness to resume peace talks; Sudan: 50 civilians killed in battles in Darfour

A spokesman for the "Sudan's liberation front" yesterday announced the killing of more that 50 Sudanese civilians and arresting children for trading them as slaves" during attacks launched by the government forces and its collaborators against Ali Qari in Darfour district situated in Darfour to the west part of the country.

Omar Suleiman said in Cairo that the "government forces in support of collaborators of al-Janjawit ( armed groups ) burnt 16 villages in the two areas to the south of Wadi Saleh and Jouz Naem of Kebkabeya in Darfour north province." He also stressed that the region "was exposed to plane bombardment."

Suleiman said that "at least 52 persons from these villages were killed and children under 6 year old were taken to be traded as slaves in addition to elderly who died burnt by fire inside their houses."

Meantime, the Sudanese government announced Monday it is ready to resume negotiations with the rebels after Kenya had officially proposed to host a new round of negotiations within two weeks. The Sudanese news agency quoted the secretary general of peace consulate Ali Ahmad Hamid as saying that "the government is committed and ready to take part in the negotiations" after IGAD had officially notified Khartoum that the date for the round was set August 10th.