FM Says Sudan Ready for Negotiations to Restore Peace

Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad speaks at a press conference in Port Sudan. (AFP)
Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad speaks at a press conference in Port Sudan. (AFP)
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FM Says Sudan Ready for Negotiations to Restore Peace

Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad speaks at a press conference in Port Sudan. (AFP)
Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad speaks at a press conference in Port Sudan. (AFP)

The Sudanese government announced on Monday its readiness to hold dialogue with any party in order to reach just peace.

Acting Foreign Minister Hussein Awad said: “We are ready to sit down for peace negotiations. Our only condition is adhering to the agreements reached in Jeddah.”

He stressed that the government was ready for talks with all the Sudanese people and parties to form a clear vision that would shape the next phase in the country and form a civilian government.

In turn, the government would pave the way for elections for people to choose their representatives and the army will guarantee that the polls are held, he told a press conference in Port Sudan.

Moreover, he renewed government assertions that the United Arab Emirates embassy in Khartoum was not targeted in an attack.

He said the government has evidence that the mission was not attacked by its forces.

The UAE embassy is the only mission that the Rapid Support Forces have not attacked or looted, Awad stressed, pledging to protect the Emirates’ mission in Port Sudan.

On the ground, witnesses said army jets carried out a raid on the town of Abu Hajjar in Sennar state, leaving dozens of women, children and elderly dead.



Italy Demands Security Guarantees for its Troops in Lebanon

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a speech during a session of communications to the Senate ahead of the European Council, at the Senate in Rome, Italy, 15 October 2024. EPA/VINCENZO LIVIERI
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a speech during a session of communications to the Senate ahead of the European Council, at the Senate in Rome, Italy, 15 October 2024. EPA/VINCENZO LIVIERI
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Italy Demands Security Guarantees for its Troops in Lebanon

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a speech during a session of communications to the Senate ahead of the European Council, at the Senate in Rome, Italy, 15 October 2024. EPA/VINCENZO LIVIERI
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a speech during a session of communications to the Senate ahead of the European Council, at the Senate in Rome, Italy, 15 October 2024. EPA/VINCENZO LIVIERI

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni demanded security guarantees on Tuesday for all her country's troops deployed in Lebanon, where UN peacekeepers have come under fire during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Italy has troops deployed in the UN peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL and in a separate mission known as MIBIL which trains local armed forces. There are over 1,000 Italian troops in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

The UN Security Council expressed concern on Monday after several peacekeeping positions came under fire in southern Lebanon and urged all parties - without naming them - to respect the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel and premises.

"We believe that the attitude of the Israeli forces is completely unjustified," Meloni said, describing it as a "blatant violation" of a UN resolution on ending hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel.
In an address to Italy's Senate, Reuters quoted her as saying that Israel's actions were not acceptable and that she had expressed this position to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Asked whether she was considering a trip to Lebanon, Meloni told reporters: "Yes."
Netanyahu has denied Israeli troops deliberately targeted UNIFIL peacekeepers in Lebanon and wants the peacekeepers withdrawn from combat zones.

Italy has protested to Israel and joined allies in condemning the attacks on the peacekeepers.
Meloni said Hezbollah had also violated the UN resolution and sought "to militarize the area under UNIFIL's jurisdiction," adding that Italy wanted to strengthen the capabilities of UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces.