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Annan Hails Sudan's Halt to Air Strikes
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Friday welcomed the announcement by the Sudanese Government to halt aerial attacks in southern Sudan and Nuba Mountains, saying he hopes that the positive move will be conducive to peace in the African country.
A statement, issued here through the spokesman of Annan, said: "The secretary-general welcomes the announcement by the Government of Sudan that they have declared on May 24, 2001, an immediate halt to aerial attacks in southern Sudan and Nuba Mountains."
Annan "hopes that this positive step will help reduce the sufferings of the people in these areas and will also enhance the prospects for peace," the statement said.
Sudan announced that the government will halt air strikes against rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army in the country's south as of Friday in an effort to reach a cease-fire.
Sudan's civil war and related famines have left more than 2 million people dead since 1983. The rebels are fighting for greater autonomy for the Christian and animist south from the Muslim-dominated north.
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