Khartoum clings to strong relations with Egypt

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael has asserted his country's care to improve relations with Egypt and to get its support.

In a press conference he held in Amman in conclusion of his visit to Jordan, Ismael added he discussed with the Jordanian officials he met during his official visit bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the current tension between Iraq and the UN.

Speaking about his country's relations with Egypt, the Sudanese minister said that Sudan is keen to establish normal relations with Egypt. This keenness, he added, is based on Sudan's realization of the key role Egypt plays on the Arab and African levels. He went on to explain that Sudan is always careful to win the support of the Arab states, especially Egypt, concerning the question of southern Sudan.

He regretted the Egyptian position in hosting the meetings of the Egyptian opposition on the Sudanese territories. He said that rebels in Southern Sudan have terms the Sudanese government will not accept because these terms "would partition the unity of Sudan and convert it into a sectarian state."