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Sudan

Sudan to prevent UN from imposing sanctions: FM

KHARTOUM, Jun 5, 2007 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol said on Tuesday that the government would do its best to prevent the UN Security Council from imposing sanctions on Sudan.

Lam Akol told the parliament that his ministry would "exert efforts to thwart any attempt of pressing the UN Security Council for adopting a new resolution on the sanctions on Sudan."

He denounced a recent decision taken by the U.S. administration on new sanctions on Sudan, saying it was aimed at aborting Khartoum's efforts to resolve the conflict in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

"This decision, which came at a time that the Darfur peace process was witnessing a positive progress, indicates that the United States wants to foil all the peaceful efforts and realize its own goals," Lam Akol said.

He said all the pretexts for the decision, including the alleged failure of the Sudanese government to carry out its commitments of resolving the Darfur crisis and disarming the militia, and continue the so-called genocide, were "totally baseless."

Last week, U.S. President George W. Bush announced new sanction measures to be taken by his administration against about 30 Sudanese companies and three individuals, whom are accused of being involved in the Darfur violence.

Washington is also seeking a new resolution of the UN Security Council to impose international sanctions on the African country.