Support for deploying hybrid AU-UN force in Darfur reconfirmed

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-30-2007 15:56

Support for a three-phase plan to deploy a hybrid AU-UN force in Darfur has been reconfirmed at a meeting Sunday in the Libyan capital of Tripoli.

Diplomats reiterated their support for a three-phase plan to deploy a hybrid AU-UN peacekeeping force in west Sudan.

The scheme was initiated by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. In November, it was agreed by the UN, the African Union and the Sudanese government.

At Sunday's meeting, delegates urged all conflicting parties in the Darfur region to immediately cease hostilities and uphold their commitments to a cease fire.

The Chinese delegation also called for the political process to be pushed forward to resolve the Darfur issue.

China also called on the international community to provide more assistance to Darfur to improve the humanitarian situation there.

A special UN envoy for Sudan says the Tripoli gathering is an important step toward achieving peace in Darfur.

Jan Eliasson, UN representative, said, "The presence of the representatives of the countries around this table is a sign of the seriousness of purpose on our side. So this is a step forward that we have a Tripoli consensus document."

The two-day meeting was called for by Libya. It gathered Sudan's Foreign Minister Lam Akol, special Darfur envoys from the UN, the AU, the US, the EU and Britain, and senior officials from China, France, Egypt, Chad and Eritrea.

Editor:Du Xiaodan