Sudanese president ends visit to Morocco

Sudanese President Gen. Omar Hassan Bashir, left Morocco on Thursday after a three-day working visit during which he was received by King Hassan II.

The visit was crowned with the signing of a package of cooperation accords destined to boost partnership between the two countries in agriculture, economy, investment, media and diplomats' training.

The Sudanese president also met with the ambassadors of Arab and Islamic countries accredited in Morocco.

The meeting focused on the latest regional and international developments as well as on the socioeconomic and political situation in Sudan and the August U.S. military attack on Khartoum.

At a news conference Thursday, President Bashir called for upgrading Moroccan-Sudanese cooperation in all sectors and especially in agriculture in view of the huge potentials of the two countries.

He also underlined the role played by King Hassan II on the Arab, African and international scenes and affirmed that the talks he had with the sovereign dealt with bilateral relations, the situation in Sudan and the American strike against a Sudanese pharmaceutical plant the USA says produces "precursor" chemicals used in making chemical weapons.

The Sudanese president urged Moroccan investors to take interest in the business opportunities offered in Sudan and affirmed that the signing of an accord on mutual investment protection will contribute to consolidating partnership between entrepreneurs in the two countries.

Regarding the Sahara issue, President Bashir said his country's position is clear since the UN has decided to hold a referendum in the region. He also termed as contradictory the fact that the Polisario is a member of the Organization of African Unity while sovereignty is a 'sine qua non' condition for joining this pan-African organization.

On the US bombing of the Khartoum-based Al Shifaa pharmaceutical plant, the Sudanese head of state renewed his call to the UN Security Council to send a fact-finding mission to ensure that the plant "produces no chemical product."

The Sudanese president praised the positive positions and solidarity of Arab, Muslim and African countries following the US attack. He also stated that Khartoum will continue to oppose the US hegemony policy despite the American attack.