UN chief hails Sudan-Chad agreement on ending hostility

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed on Monday the agreement signed between Sudan and Chad on Sunday to halt violence while urging efforts from both sides for its full implementation.

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed on Monday the agreement signed between Sudan and Chad on Sunday to halt violence while urging efforts from both sides for its full implementation.

    The secretary-general recalled all earlier agreements between the two governments and called upon them to work towards the full implementation of the May 3 agreement signed in Qatari capital of Doha under the auspices of Qatar and Libya, according to a statement issued here by his spokesperson.

    "The secretary-general expressed the hope that this positive development will result in a de-escalation of tensions and foster the conditions for stability in the sub-region," the statement said.

    Following the Doha talks, started Thursday under sponsorship of Qatar and Libya, Sudan and Chad have agreed to end hostilities and to set up a summit.

    The relations between the two neighboring African countries have been in tension due to the conflict in Darfur and a civil war in Chad, which both governments accuse the other of supporting. They resumed diplomatic ties in November after a six-month breakup.

    The Darfur conflict has left hundreds of thousands of people dead since it began in February 2003. Some 250,000 people fled into neighboring Chad for refuge.

TAP

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