The head of the joint United Nations-African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Darfur on Thursday held talks with government officials and diplomats on the peace process under way in theSudanese region. U.N.-AU Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari, along with Sudanese presidential advisor Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani, senior AU implementation panel chairman Thabo Mbeki, and U.S. special envoy for Sudan Scott Gration, took part in the meeting in Khartoum. The four men underscored the need for a comprehensive strategy encompassing all aspects—including security, stabilization, development, and early recovery—of the Darfur problem. The officials at Thursday's meeting agreed that the U.N.-AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), which is headed by Gambari, and the Sudanese government will work together closely to improve the security situation in the region and act jointly to promote stability and development. The U.N. envoy said that he looks forward to cooperation between UNAMID and the Sudanese police and military to enhance security, emphasizing the mission's commitment to foster early recovery and development.
