Sudanese parliament chairman agrees to meet Sudanese opposition leader

Hassan El-Tourabi, the chairman of the Sudanese national council, announced that Sudan will regulate a referendum next April on a new constitutional project. He said, "This constitution fulfills future and present necessities, as the coming governments will not be able to adjust it according to their needs."

Tourabi also said that the new constitution allows for emergencies measures when needed, according to statements issued by President Omar El-Bashir since assuming power in 1989.

He said the final form of the constitution will be presented to Bashir and then to the national council before presenting it for a referendum.

Tourabi announced his unconditional approval of the meeting with El-Sadiq El-Mahdi, Sudan's previous prime minister, within the initiative of a public organization for national reconciliation. He also said, that El-Mahdi and himself intellectually agree and that there are no essential disputes.