Indonesia said Wednesday it was ready to resume sending bird flu virus strain to the World Health Organization (WHO), ending a standoff since December when Jakarta accused the international body of commercializing the virus sample.

"We will resume the sending of virus sample for the sake of global interests. The delivery will take place this year, within two months from now at the latest," said Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari.

She made the remarks after accompanying WHO Director General Margaret Chan in a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the latter's office.

The government took the stance after it reached a deal with WHO in a Jakarta meeting two weeks ago, said the minister.

Indonesia, which shoulders the majority of global bid flu death toll with 72 casualties, has accused WHO of passing the country's virus strain on private firms that produce the vaccine and sell it at prices unaffordable for developing countries, including Indonesia. Supari said the system was "unfair."

Meanwhile, Chan said the Indonesian president in the meeting asked WHO to help developing countries with access to high quality vaccines at affordable prices.

Source: Xinhua