Arab media

February 5 , 2008

Source: Al Rai (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Sudan Accepts Darfur Hybrid Force Legal Framework

• Well-informed officials indicated that Sudan removed a serious obstacle facing hybrid force deployment when it agreed to AU – UN conditions to the forces’ deployment
• UN spokesperson in Khartoum, Nouredine Al Mazni, said UN was pleased with agreement and will sign the final agreement with Sudanese government on Wednesday
• Meanwhile, Sudanese official indicated that his government was still negotiating with AU and UN officials

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Precaution Measures in Darfur because of Violence in Chad

• Governor of West Darfur, Abu Al Qasim Imam Al Hakim said security situation in his state improved after coming under attack by Chadian planes
• He added that ongoing violence in Chad does not bother his state given that most of the fighting was concentrated near the capital N’Djamena
• Imam said his state would welcome Chadian refugees like Chad did with Darfur refugees
• Meanwhile, government advisor and Janjaweed leader Musa Hilal denied accusations that Sudanese government and Arab tribes took part in the fighting in Chad and added a regime change in neighboring Chad would improve relations between the two countries
• Experts believe a regime change in Chad would lead to changes in level of support Darfur rebel groups such as JEM would receive

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: EU Denies Plans to Scrap EUFOR deployment
By: Abdullah Mustapha

• Javier Solana denied European Union plans to cancel EUFOR deployment because of violence in Chad
• He explained that the force’s deployment will be postponed but not cancelled
• Solana added that the force’s main mission is to protect the civilian population and not to advance any European hidden agenda

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Dutch Officials in Khartoum to Discuss Handover of Suspects

• Dutch official team including ministers of foreign affairs and cooperation and development arrived in Khartoum for a three-day visit
• The team will meet with Sudanese government officials including the president, United Nations mission, and humanitarian organizations in Khartoum, Juba, and Darfur
• The talks will tackle political and humanitarian situation, handover of war crime suspects, rebuilding Darfur, ending Darfur crisis, and securing Sudanese government support for full cooperation with hybrid force
• The Dutch government received a rebel request to host Darfur peace talks