July 10, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) has welcomed the meeting of the Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Joint Chief Mediator with the Paris based leader of the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM).

Following a meeting with Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud and Djibril Bassole on Thursday, Abdel Wahid Al-Nur welcomed the ongoing efforts in Doha to ends Darfur conflict and agreed to continue consultations on ways that would allow him to join the process.

The rebel leader during his meeting with the mediation reiterated the need to tackle the security situation and to give free access to the aid groups to provide humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians in the troubled region.

French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner welcomed the move of the rebel leader Al-Nur saying "confirmed his intention to contribute actively to the peace process, personally and through his representatives," in a meeting they held at his office.

Fathi Shila, information secretary of the ruling NCP, in statements to Alray Alaam daily, welcomed the supportive position of the rebel leader saying , We welcome this position, which take in consideration the suffering of civilians in Darfur and realize the seriousness of the government to achieve peace in Darfur before the end of the year.

He further said Nur’s participation in the Doha talks would create a breakthrough and new addition to the talks.

Sudanese government delegation in Doha also hailed Paris meeting stressing that the government welcomes participation of all parties at Doha negotiation forum.

Hatim Alsir, spokesperson of the opposition Democratic Unionist Party and former candidate for Sudanese presidency, also welcomed the meeting praising the efforts undertaken by the Qatari government and the Joint Chief Mediator to settle the seven years conflict in Darfur.

Presidential adviser and responsible of Darfur dossier Ghazi Salah Al-Deen, told the Sudanese MPs this week that his government intends to improve the security situation and to facilitate the return of displaced populations as well as implementing development projects.

Ghazi stressed on the important role that local elected institutions and the civil society can play in the conflict settlement besides the negotiations with the rebel groups.

Al-Nur who refuses to negotiate with the government since 2006 after the failure of Abuja process says the improvement of security situation and the return of the IDPs to their homeland should be prioritized to any political deal.

The rebel Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) which is negotiating with the government in Doha hailed Paris meeting saying it sensed a shift in the position of Abdul Wahid in his recent statements.

Abdallha Mursal, LJM spokesperson, said if Nur joins Doha he will enhance the chances of success of the venue and its acceptance by the people of Darfur adding it also will enable the parties to reach a final and comprehensive peace in Darfur. He further urged Abdel Wahid to bring his demands to Doha.

(ST)