Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit has ordered Egypt's ambassador to Sudan to seek clarification regarding statements by Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Karti, who recently described Egypt's role in Sudanese political issues as "weak" and "based on inadequate information." Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossam Zaki said that Egypt supported Sudan politically and was keen on achieving reconciliation between various Sudanese political forces. "Our special relations with Sudan stem from our common strategic interests," Zaki said, asserting that officials in both countries were aware of the depth and strength of the relationship. Hani Raslan, expert on Sudanese affairs at the semi-official Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, dismissed the notion that Karti's statements would affect Egyptian-Sudanese relations. "He just meant that the Egyptian political elite tends to only pay attention to Sudan in times of crisis," said Raslan, going on to criticize the Sudanese media for blowing matters out of proportion. According to Walid el-Sayed, assistant director at the Sudanese ruling party's Cairo office, Karti's statements were simply meant to encourage Egypt to play a bigger role in opposing the potential separation of southern Sudan from the north, which will be decided in an upcoming national referendum. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
