An agreement between Khartoum and Darfur rebels to protect civilians

The Sudanese government and Darfur rebels have reached in the talks which are sponsored by he African Union in Abuja yesterday evening an agreement on protecting the displaced civilians fleeing the conflict in Darfur.

The leader of al-Adel Wal-Musawat leader (equity and justice), Ahmad Muhammad Tughod, told journalists that discussions on humanitarian issues were completed and that talks pertinent to security issues will start today.

On the other hand, the Sudanese minister of humanitarian affairs Muhammad Youssef considered the agreement as " a step forward at the due time because people in Darfur are in need of some tranquility." The two sides stressed that despite the fact they have reached this agreement on humanitarian issues they will sign it officially by the end of the negotiations on security matters.