African Union (AU) special envoy for Darfur, Salim Ahmed Salim, on Wednesday welcomed Sunday's meeting between the pan-African body and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), a principal rebel group in Sudan's Darfur region.

The meeting was held between a delegation of the joint mission support team to the AU-UN special envoys for Darfur and JEM President Khalil Ibrahim.

In a statement from the AU headquarters, Salim, former secretary general of the defunct Organization of African Unity ( OAU), expressed his satisfaction at the positive spirit which surrounded the meeting, in particular with regards to the working relationship between the AU and the JEM.

He reaffirmed that the role of the AU throughout the pace talks on Darfur had been "to assist the Sudanese parties in their effort to reach an agreement so as to put an end to the suffering of the people of Darfur."

Salim also reaffirmed his readiness "to continue to closely work with JEM and all Darfurian stakeholders in the renewed political process led by the AU and UN special envoys, to bring about a comprehensive and lasting peace in Darfur."

During recent months, the 7,800-strong AU peacekeeping force in Darfur have been repeatedly attacked by unknown militants, who in most cases robbed vehicles, equipment and properties without causing human casualties.

Source: Xinhua