Doha: The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H E Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud and the AU-UN Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur Djibrill Bassole held talks yesterday within the framework of preparations for the Darfur peace talks.

The negotiations will start by consultations with the Darfur movements as from November 9 and with representatives of the Darfurian civil society on November 16, while the consultation with the civil society will be officially launched on November 18.

The mediation has welcomed the statements issued by the Justice and Equality Movement(JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM/Abdul Wahid) and the willingness expressed by all concerned parties to engage in the peace talks and cooperate with the mediation with a view to reaching a comprehensive and just solution to the Darfur issue.

The mediation will continue to cooperate closely with the relevant parties and the international and regional partners to realise lasting and just peace and put and end to the suffering of the people of Darfur.

Qatar’s diplomacy is quite keen to find a peaceful solution to Darfur crisis and Doha is an active partner in peace initiatives, Bassole had said earlier.

In an interview with Al Sharq newspaper in Paris before arriving in Doha, Bassole confirmed that he decided to transfer his office from Paris to Doha for better coordination with Qatari leadership since Doha has become the centre for peace initiatives and negotiations.

“I’m optimistic that peace will be established in Darfur since all parties (Sudanese government and the factions of Darfur) have the will and are committed to do that despite the international warrant issued against the Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir and other difficulties.