Egypt: A Darfur solution should be acceptable to all

Egypt's Foreign minister said that "Any solution of the Darfur crisis should be based on a political settlement that is acceptable to all the parties concerned, and widely backed by the public."

Ahmed Abul-Gheit added "It should also guarantee Sudan's future unity, security and stability," while meeting yesterday with visiting British envoy in charge of the Darfur issue.

US Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton said yesterday that the United States is pushing for a peacekeeping resolution despite Sudan's opposition to expanded UN involvement and the African Union’s postponement of a final decision on handing off peacekeeping duties to the United Nations.

Abul Gheit said that any decision regarding UN troop deployment on Sudanese land should be with Sudan government's consent, noting the importance of having the African Union forces deal with this problem.

Abul Gheit said that any thought of deploying international forces in Darfur should be preceded by an agreement that "guarantees the preservation of peace and secures the implementation of any would-be settlement."