Saudi Arabia, US Call on Sudanese Army, RSF to Continue Talks to Extend Ceasefire

Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals. (AFP)
Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia, US Call on Sudanese Army, RSF to Continue Talks to Extend Ceasefire

Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals. (AFP)
Smoke billows behind buildings in southern Khartoum, on May 27, 2023, amid ongoing fighting between the forces of two rival generals. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia and the United States called on Saturday the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to continue discussions to reach agreement on extending the ceasefire that is set to expire on Monday evening.

As facilitators of the Agreement on a Short-Term Ceasefire and Humanitarian Arrangements, the Kingdom and the US noted that “while imperfect, an extension nonetheless will facilitate the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people.”

“In the absence of an agreement to extend the current ceasefire, it remains incumbent on the parties to adhere to their obligations under the short-term ceasefire and the preceding Declaration of Commitment to Protect the Civilians of Sudan,” they stressed.



Saudi, Egypt FMs Hold Talks on De-escalating Tensions in the Region

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Saudi, Egypt FMs Hold Talks on De-escalating Tensions in the Region

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah meet in Cairo in September. (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Sunday to discuss the upcoming moves of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee and its engagement with international parties regarding the Arab plan for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

The two ministers affirmed the continuation of joint coordination between their countries to help de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent it from sliding into further instability, said a statement by Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Tamim Khallaf.

The phone call was part of ongoing consultations between Cairo and Riyadh to follow up on efforts to reinstate the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and ensure the implementation of its three phases amid the ongoing Israeli escalation in the region.

The ministers reviewed the latest developments on a number of regional issues, exchanging views on several crises.

Cairo previously had hosted an emergency Arab summit on March 4, which adopted a “comprehensive Arab plan” for the reconstruction of Gaza. The plan later received Islamic backing.

The summit’s final statement at the time highlighted coordination within the joint Arab-Islamic ministerial committee to conduct international outreach and explain the reconstruction plan while reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to remain on their land and determine their own future.

At the end of last month, Cairo hosted a joint Arab-Islamic ministerial meeting with European participation to follow up on the outcomes of the emergency summit and promote the Gaza reconstruction plan.

The meeting resulted in consensus on the need for a ceasefire and full support for the Arab plan to rebuild Gaza.