Bush congratulates Bashir on new government

US President George W. Bush congratulated Sudan on the political progress which they had achieved in the after-war period. Nevertheless, Washington expressed its concern over the political situation in Darfur.

The White House said that the president congratulated the leaders and people of Sudan over the beginning of the new national society session (parliament) on August 31 and the formation of a national unity government on September 20.

The US also expressed its concern over what it described the escalation of violence in Darfur, considering that the mission of the ceasefire observers of the African Union is decisive to control the situation. The US said "The United States remains firmly committed to the cause of peace in all of Sudan.Ê We call on Sudan's National Assembly and its newly appointed leaders to maintain the momentum toward peace throughout the country, recognizing it as an inclusive process that encompasses the south, the east, and Darfur.Ê Sudan must take those steps necessary to stop all forms of violence in Darfur, support humanitarian and African Union operations, and achieve a political settlement for Darfur through the peace talks in Abuja."

Last Monday, the representatives of Darfur rebels to Abuja negotiations accused government pro militias of violating the cease fire and of killing 30 persons in three days.

The Sudan's liberation Front, the largest rebel group in Darfur, stressed in a statement that it killed 80 soldiers of the government forces during two days of fighting around Shuurieh city and Khazzan Jedid area south of Darfur.