British official to visit Sudan next week

Sudanese sources confirmed that the minister of state for Middle East affairs at the British Foreign Office, Derek Fatchett, will visit Khartoum next week.

The sources told ArabicNews.com that the British official will discuss with Sudanese officials British's role in supporting the international and the regional efforts exert to reach a temporary truce to stop the fighting in southern Sudan and open safe passages through which aid can reach those threatened by famine in south Sudan.

Fatchett's visit to Sudan is considered the first for a high-ranking British official in seven years.