Sudanese government, rebels hold talks in Italy

The Italian minister of state for foreign affairs, Rino Seri, said Thursday that a Sudanese government delegation and another delegation representing the Sudanese People's Liberation Army have been meeting since last Wednesday at a location 100 km north of Rome to discuss the future of Sudanese establishments.

The Sudanese government's delegation is led by minister of state for federal affairs, Ibrahim Abo Awf, and the rebel delegation is lead by Cook Jock. The two sides are taking part in a three-day symposium on the future of Sudan. It is organized by the UNDP, the European commission and the German Frederick Eibirth Foundation.

The meeting is being held just few days following the implementation of the cease-fire decision announced on July 15 between the Sudanese army and rebels in Bahr al-Gazelle in the southern part of the country.

A new round of negotiations will start between the two sides on August 24 in Addis Ababa under the auspices of the governmental commission for development and fighting desertification in East Africa and the African Horn, IGAD.