Sudan FM says Chadian president's visit "important"

Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Deng Alor on Monday said the visit by Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno to Sudan is important, which would push forwards the normalization of the two countries' ties.

"This is a historic visit at a proper time and will have positive effects on bilateral ties," Alor told reporters upon the Chadian president's arrival at Khartoum airport Monday.

The top Chadian leader arrived in Khartoum Monday on a two-day official visit to its neighbor Sudan.

The visit came after the two countries inked a joint protocol in mid-January to control borders and stop supporting the rebel groups.

The top Sudanese diplomat said the visit also came at a time when peace talks between Sudanese government and the Darfur rebel groups are going on in Doha, Qatar, which is likely to boost hopes for a peaceful settlement to the Darfur issue.

The last visit by the Chadian president to Sudan was in July 2004.

Source: Xinhua