The Sudanese rebels call for a political solution before dropping their weapons

The Sudanese government announced that it does not take into consideration the one month grace period given by the UN Security Council and ends by August to achieve a progress and fulfill Khartoum's obligations over Darfur crisis else face possible international sanctions.

The chairman of the government delegation to the negotiations with the rebels in Abuja, Nigeria, the minister of agriculture Majzoub al-Khaleifa said that Sudan prefers to find out a solution for the crisis via peace negotiations under the patronage of the African Union.

He stressed that his government will continue negotiations in Abuja -- which are in its fourth day -- even after the end of the grace period given by the UN Security Council, noting that the peace talks might continue for five days.