CAIRO - President Hosni Mubarak and Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi will visit Khartoum today for talks with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his Vice President and head of the Southern Sudan's government Salva Kiir, ahead of a crucial referendum on southern independence, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit said Monday. "The summit aims at supporting efforts of the Sudanese partners to reach a resolution on the deadlocked issues concerning the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement," Abul Gheit added in Cairo. He said that this summit came as the three leaders realised the “importance of this stage in Sudan's history”. Southerners are set to vote in a referendum on January 9 on whether to remain united with the north or break away and form their own country. "Mubarak, Gaddafi and Bashir will also highlight the fact that the referendum should be held in an atmosphere of transparency, freedom, fairness and authenticity," Abul Gheit said. During their visit, the two Arab leaders will discuss current events in the country and the importance of relations among the three neighbouring African countries. Mubarak and Gaddafi held a telephone discussion about the "latest developments in Sudan," the official Middle East News Agency (MENA) reported. Abul Gheit met Sunday with Sir Derek Plumbly, head of the Assessment and Evaluation Commission that monitors implementation of the peace agreement. "The current circumstances in the country need concerted international and regional efforts to support the two ruling partners, the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), to reach a compromise on pending issues to maintain peace and security across Sudan," MENA quoted Abul Gheit as saying. Meanwhile, the White House said US President Barack Obama wrote to regional leaders to rally support for a peaceful and timely referendum on the independence of south Sudan.
