/ 12 April 1999

SUDAN PEACE MOVES

THE Sudanese government is ready to accept Egypt as a “neutral mediator” in its conflict with northern opposition forces, the daily Al Usbu reported on Sunday.The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said Egypt recently sent Sudan a message containing the viewpoint of the northern opposition regarding reconciliation with the government.Sudan replied to the message by voicing its willingness to sit down at the negotiating table with the opposition and its acceptance of Egypt as “a neutral mediator,” the report said.The London-based Al-Hayat newspaper meanwhile reported from Cairo that Sudanese opposition leader Sadek al-Mehdi would travel Sunday to Libya to discuss reconciliation efforts with Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.Al Usbu said the Islamic-led Khartoum government was willing to amend provisions in the constitution and the legislation of political associations which are rejected by the opposition.