Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on Thursday expressed his "deep concern" over reported clashes in southern Sudan's oil-rich Abyei region between the Misseriya tribe and the People's Army, which have claimed scores of lives in the past three days.
Abul Gheit called on both the Sudanese government and the Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Movement to restore calm in the region and use dialogue to resolve outstanding disputes.
The minister also warned against attempts by either party to impose a “fait accompli” in the boarder areas, in a reference to reported attempts to marginalize the official Border Demarcation Committee.
“Egypt is closely following the referendum on the self determination of the south,” he said, expressing hope that the referendum would be conducted in a calm climate and with transparency.
He added that Egypt would work closely with both the country's ruling partners during the transition period that is expected to follow the referendum, which began on 9 January.
The FM also urged the international community to support stability and economic development in the whole of Sudan.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
