Aboul Gheit, Egyptian FM, says Darfur peace agreement must be reached before international troops are deployed

In a meeting with the British envoy to Darfur, Alan Goulty, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Wednesday Africa must keep the main responsibility of restoring peace in Darfur, reports AP March 1, 2006:

"Aboul Gheit added that those involved in the conflict must reach a peace agreement before international forces are deployed, Egypt's Foreign Ministry statement said.

Solving Darfur's problems must be based on "a political settlement accepted by all sides and backed by wide popular support within the framework of a unified Sudan," the statement quoted Aboul Gheit as saying." (ST)