KHARTOUM, 15 January 2003 — Arab ministers meeting here expressed opposition yesterday to any partition of Sudan as part of a peace settlement with southern rebels and called on the United States to play a neutral role in the process. The stance was included in a communique issued at the end of a two-day meeting of foreign ministers or their representatives from nine countries making up the Arab League’s committee of support for Sudan. The statement said: “Arab countries support the territorial unity of Sudan and oppose any attempt to carve it up.” It expressed “support for efforts aimed at establishing overall peace and national understanding among all the sons of Sudan and of implementing a cease-fire throughout the country. It further called on “all countries, particularly the United States, and organizations involved in the peace process in Sudan to play a positive, neutral and transparent role to help achieve peace.” (AFP)
