An official source at the Sudanese embassy in Cairo has said that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak played a key role in efforts that led to the lifting of international sanctions imposed on the African country.
He told Cairo-based daily Al Akhbar that Mubarak had always put Sudan’s problems on the agenda of his meetings, both inside Egypt and abroad.
The diplomat extended his gratitude to “the president, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher, Egyptian missions abroad and all delegations which supported Sudan at the UN and elsewhere.”
“The UNSC resolution to lift sanctions against Sudan is a clear evidence of the false accusations against our country and a certificate of innocence that we deserved,” said the source, stressing that the resolution was not a reward to Sudan for its stance regarding the recent terrorist attacks in the US.
Last week, the Sudanese government pledged to cooperate with all countries in fighting against terrorism, a problem which it said was "not linked to a certain religion, race or culture."
"Sudan renews its readiness for cooperation with all countries of the world for fighting international terrorism which is not linked with a specific religion, race or culture," said a statement issued by the council of ministers, following a meeting chaired by President Omar Al Bashir.
The statement also hailed the decision by the UN Security Council to lift the six-year-old sanctions.
"The decision was the fruit of a realistic policy by the government for cooperation with the international community," the statement said, adding Khartoum's "close" observance of the sanctions "convinced the world of the Sudan's sincere efforts for maintaining international peace and security."
In a related development, the UN human rights rapporteur for Sudan, Gerhard Baum, said Sudan had made some progress in its human rights record at the start of a visit to Khartoum on Wednesday.
"Progress has been achieved in some, but not all human rights aspects," Baum told reporters after talks with Sudanese Justice Minister Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin and Energy Minister Awad Ahmed Al Jaz, reported AFP.
Baum is to compile a report on Sudan to submit to the UN Human Rights Commission next November in Geneva - Albawaba.com.
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