Principles of the Libyan-Egyptian initiative

The Egyptian-Libyan memorandum is intended to advance principles on which to establish the basis for dialogue in light of "the historical responsibility to preserve the unity, security and stability of Sudan," according to an unofficial, translated copy received by IRIN from the Sudanese government. These principles included that the unity of Sudan should be preserved; citizenship should be the base for exercising rights and duties; and the racial, religious and cultural diversity of Sudan must be recognised.

They also include: that the principles of democratic pluralism, freedom of expression and the separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers should be safeguarded; basic freedoms and human rights should be observed; and government decentralised to provide "balanced development and a just distribution of wealth and power." Foreign policy should observe higher national interests; an interim government should be established in which all political forces would be represented; and there should be an immediate cessation of hostilities, according to the remaining principles.

The interim government would "oversee the implementation of all points laid out in the political agreement", as well as "the organisation and convening of a national conference to revise the constitution and set a date for holding general elections," according to the memorandum.

Sudanese government spokesman Mahdi Ibrahim said that Khartoum would work with all political forces who accepted the Libyan-Egyptian memorandum "to besiege those who do not want peace, locally and internationally," SUNA reported on Monday. Any party who violated the consensus of the Sudanese people and the African continent would isolate themselves nationally, regionally and internationally, he added. Egypt has said it will contact Libya, Sudanese government officials and opposition forces to study arrangements for holding a reconciliation conference in Sudan at an as-yet unspecified place and time.