European Commission concerned about Darfur

KHARTOUM – European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said yesterday he was “extremely concerned” about the situation in Darfur and was looking for a political solution, the official SUNA news agency said.

Barroso arrived in Khartoum on Saturday with the aim of convincing the government to accept a UN peacekeeping force in the war-torn region of Darfur. The Commission is “extremely concerned” about the situation in Darfur and was seeking to resolve the matter through “constructive political dialogue,” Barroso said, quoted by SUNA.The Commission is seeking “a way out of the impasse of the current situation in Darfur related to the transition of the (African Union) mandate there to UN forces,” Barroso said after his meeting with President Omar al-Beshir.Beshir for his part, reiterated his “absolute rejection” of the idea and underlined instead the need to boost the African Union forces “to help it carry out its mission of maintaining peace and stability in Darfur.”Last month, the UN Security Council agreed to send a force of some 17 000 troops and 3 000 police to Darfur to take over from the existing African Union force, whose mission has been extended until December 31.But the Sudanese government has repeatedly rejected the offer, arguing such a move risks worsening the situation in the region.Nampa-AFPThe Commission is “extremely concerned” about the situation in Darfur and was seeking to resolve the matter through “constructive political dialogue,” Barroso said, quoted by SUNA.The Commission is seeking “a way out of the impasse of the current situation in Darfur related to the transition of the (African Union) mandate there to UN forces,” Barroso said after his meeting with President Omar al-Beshir.Beshir for his part, reiterated his “absolute rejection” of the idea and underlined instead the need to boost the African Union forces “to help it carry out its mission of maintaining peace and stability in Darfur.”Last month, the UN Security Council agreed to send a force of some 17 000 troops and 3 000 police to Darfur to take over from the existing African Union force, whose mission has been extended until December 31.But the Sudanese government has repeatedly rejected the offer, arguing such a move risks worsening the situation in the region.Nampa-AFP