Khatami urged Khartoum to challenge persons committing violence in Darfur

The Iranian president Muhammad Khatami said in Khartoum yesterday that he believes that the Sudanese government is able to solve the conflict in Darfur and vowed to provide political and humanitarian aids to finding a solution.

In a speech before the parliament, Khatami congratulated Sudan on its efforts to reach peace in Sudan. He expressed his confidence that "the Sudanese government is able to show its wisdom and once again determination to reach a peaceful settlement for this crisis." On Darfur, he urged the government to take "a decisive position towards those who practice violence and inhuman and non- Islamic practices."

He added " while we stress that the people's force and Sudan's national unity should be maintained, we express our readiness to help in solving the crisis and guarantee the rights and freedoms of peoples of the region."