France on Wednesday hailed Sudan's decision to agree on the deployment of a joint African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) hybrid force in the troubled region of Darfur, while hoping the three parties concerned will implement the agreement as soon as possible.

"France lauds Sudan's decision to agree on a joint deployment of a UN/AU hybrid force for operations in Darfur," during new consultations between the three parties Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the French foreign ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei affirmed during a press briefing.

This operation is an "important step" in the international efforts to improve security and humanitarian situation in Darfur. "But tangible progress will not be achieved on the ground, unless the parties concerned agree to implement a sustained cease-fire and commit themselves to peace negotiations under the auspices of the AU and UN," the spokesman said.

France would like Sudan, UN and AU to move quickly and hasten the deployment of a reinforced support team made up of UN and AU mission in Sudan (AMIS)," a perquisite step for hybrid operation," according to the spokesman.

"It's all about implementing the decisions taken, and it is in this regard that France will host in Paris on June 25, a ministerial meeting of an enlarged international contact group on Darfur," he said.

Source: Xinhua