International   

Khartoum, rebels to sign Darfur peace pact

ABUJA (Nigeria): Sudan's Government and the largest Darfur rebel group agreed on Friday to sign a peace plan, a top U.S. envoy said, marking major progress in an internationally backed effort to end the death and destruction in western Sudan.

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick said two smaller rebel groups that rejected the treaty could be bypassed, and his assessment was bolstered when one of the two split on Friday, with dissenters criticising their leader for not joining the treaty.

``Today the largest group, Minni Minnawi's, has agreed to sign and the Government of Sudan have agreed to sign as well,'' Mr. Zoellick said.

``Not all the movements are in accord, but we're already getting phone calls that people with [rebel faction leader] Abdel Wahid [Nur] believe he has made a mistake.''

AP

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Jack Straw removed from Foreign Office
Iran for sober discussion
Decision on gas pipeline within 90 days: Iran
Defence Minister says she was targeted in scandal
Measles outbreak link to religious tour denied
Europe's most expensive public toilet opens in Berlin
Khartoum, rebels to sign Darfur peace pact
LTTE attack warded off
Nepal panel to probe atrocities
Economy, security in poll focus
Vows to oust Qarase
Steps to protect Indian workers, says Vayalar Ravi

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu