“Egypt will respect the decision of the Sudanese people,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki in a press statement on Thursday, referring to the referendum scheduled to take place in January which will likely result in southern Sudan's secession from northern Sudan. Zaki said Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit had told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the last meeting of the UN General Assembly that Egypt was “working for the unity of Sudan, but would respect the final decision of the people.” Abul Gheit also discussed the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks with the UN Secretary-General, Zaki added, in light of Israel's refusal to extend a moratorium on the construction of Jewish-only settlements on occupied Palestinian land. He went on to quote Abul Gheit as saying that the Israel's credibility had suffered as a result of the decision, and that the international community had proven itself incapable of pressuring Israel to take the appropriate steps to ensure the success of negotiations. Abul Gheit also said Egypt would decide on whether or not to recognize the independence of Kosovo “in due time,” taking into consideration outstanding issues between Kosovo and Serbia. The International Court of Justice has issued an opinion that the independence of Kosovo does not violate international law. Zaki added that Kosovo Foreign Minister Iskander al-Husseini had briefed Abul Gheit on the rights of Kosovo's Serbian minority and its representation in parliament. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
