"The recent US decision to impose more sanctions on Sudan on the back of recent developments in Darfur, will adversely affect the Sudanese people,"said Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit on Wednesday 30/5/2007.

Abul-Gheit said contemporary history is a strong reminder that economic sanctions are counterproductive, with people being the primary victims.

He called upon all parties concerned to resume dialogue with the Sudanese government to guarantee restoring peace and stability in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

The top diplomat expressed surprise at the timing of Washington's announcement when the political process was witnessing a positive mobility that required encouraging all parties to continue cooperation and focus on extending confidence-building between the international community and the Sudanese government, on the one hand, and between the Khartoum government and the Abuja peace agreement holdout, on the other.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit also expressed hope that the coming days and weeks would see successful good offices by the UN and the African Union over the issue of Darfur.

As for the current debate about deploying a hybrid African-UN force in Darfur and the Sudanese government's stance in this respect, Abul-Gheit said UN chief Ban Ki-moon and President of the AU Commission Alpha Oumar Konare have outlined their vision of the structure of this mission and its job.

He noted, meanwhile, that the Sudanese government has approved in principle of the deployment of the hybrid force.

Meanwhile, Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir praised Egypt and President Hosni Mubarak's role in maintaining peace in Darfur.