Sudan's Bashir reaffirms rejection of UN force, says packages still negotiated

Feb 15 2007 Sudan Tribune report by Wasil Ali - Sudan reaffirms rejection of UN force, says packages still negotiated - excerpt:

Speaking from Cannes where the question of Darfur and Sudan-Chad dominated the Africa-France summit, al-Bashir said the deployment of UN forces "will transform the country to another Iraq."

Al-Bashir indicated in his interview that Khartoum is not prepared to make further concessions on the issue.

Sudan's leader further accused some groups in the US Congress of seeking to topple his regime through sanctions. Nevertheless he added that US Administration had helped his regime during Navaivsha to end civil war in southern Sudan, and the US State Department also played a positive role during Abuja negotiations.

He also criticized "western" nations for harboring rebel leaders and proving them with "financial and military support" which helped them to control the northern part of Darfur.