Biden Calls on Sudan's Warring Parties to Re-engage in Negotiations

US President Joe Biden speaks before a wildfire briefing in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, 17 September 2024. EPA/SAMUEL CORUM
US President Joe Biden speaks before a wildfire briefing in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, 17 September 2024. EPA/SAMUEL CORUM
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Biden Calls on Sudan's Warring Parties to Re-engage in Negotiations

US President Joe Biden speaks before a wildfire briefing in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, 17 September 2024. EPA/SAMUEL CORUM
US President Joe Biden speaks before a wildfire briefing in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., USA, 17 September 2024. EPA/SAMUEL CORUM

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on Sudan's warring parties to re-engage in negotiations to end a war that has been ongoing for more than 17 months.

"We call for all parties to this conflict to end this violence and refrain from fueling it, for the future of Sudan and for all of the Sudanese people," Biden said in a statement.

"I call on the belligerents responsible for Sudanese suffering—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—to pull back their forces, facilitate unhindered humanitarian access, and re-engage in negotiations to end this war,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

More than 12,000 people have been killed across Sudan since the war started on April 15, 2023.

The conflict began when competition between Sudan's army and the RSF, which had previously shared power after staging a coup, flared into open warfare.

Biden said the RSF's assault is disproportionately harming Sudanese civilians and called on the armed forces to stop "indiscriminate" bombings that are destroying civilian lives and infrastructure.

The US previously determined that the two sides committed war crimes and sanctioned 16 individuals and entities tied to the war.

Biden said the United States will continue to evaluate further atrocity allegations and potential additional sanctions.



Lebanese PM Believes Ceasefire between Israel, Hezbollah Possible

Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati addresses the United Nations Security Council during an emergency meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024. EPA/STEPHANI SPINDEL
Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati addresses the United Nations Security Council during an emergency meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024. EPA/STEPHANI SPINDEL
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Lebanese PM Believes Ceasefire between Israel, Hezbollah Possible

Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati addresses the United Nations Security Council during an emergency meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024. EPA/STEPHANI SPINDEL
Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati addresses the United Nations Security Council during an emergency meeting on the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations Headquarters in New York, New York, USA, 25 September 2024. EPA/STEPHANI SPINDEL

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed hope that a ceasefire can be reached soon to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

The United States, France and several allies called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Israel-Lebanon border while also expressing support for a ceasefire in Gaza following intense discussions at the United Nations on Wednesday.

Mikati welcomed the call for a truce but said the key to its implementation was whether Israel, which has been moving troops closer to Lebanon, is committed to enforcing international resolutions.

Asked if a ceasefire could be secured soon, Mikati told Reuters: "Hopefully, yes."

The ceasefire would apply to the Israel-Lebanon "Blue Line," the demarcation line between the countries, and would allow the parties to negotiate towards a potential diplomatic resolution of the conflict, a senior Biden administration official said.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Thursday welcomed the call for an immediate 21-day ceasefire to allow the space for diplomacy to succeed.