CAIRO/ RIYADH — Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoumi has welcomed the initiative announced by Saudi Arabia and the US, concerning the start of preliminary talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in Jeddah.

In a statement Saturday, Al-Asoumi expressed hope that this initiative would be a positive step towards reaching a political solution to the Sudanese crisis, by healing the rift between the two parties, stopping the bloodshed and returning security and stability to Sudan.

He also commended the constructive efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the crisis, along with all Arab efforts, to lend support to the Sudanese people and contribute to maintaining the state's unity, evacuating foreign nationals and delivering humanitarian aid.

In Riyadh, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Jassem Mohamed Al Budaiwi has welcomed the joint initiative of Saudi Arabia and the United States to start preliminary talks between the rival Sudanese parties in Jeddah

The talks will pave the way for dialogue and reduce the level of tension in a way that guarantees the security and stability of Sudan and its brotherly people, and contributes to facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Al Budaiwi expressed his hope that these initial talks would contribute to reaching a comprehensive peaceful solution that would protect the unity and institutions of Sudan and achieve the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, peace, political stability and development.

He affirmed that the GCC members are countries that support peace and always seek, through their well-established and extended diplomatic relations, to maintain regional and global peace and security.

Egypt too welcomed the start of preliminary talks between representatives of the SAF and RSF in Jeddah, praising the efforts of Saudi Arabia and the regional and international efforts that contributed to encouraging the Sudanese parties to start a dialogue.

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt said it hoped talks will result in a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire that will save the lives of the Sudanese people, and help facilitate the delivery of humanitarian relief aid to those who need it.

In Kuwait, the State of Kuwait also welcomed the joint Saudi-US initiative that made possible preliminary talks, to stop the violence between the SAF and RSF.

In a statement, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the efforts made by Saudi Arabia and the US, and urged all parties to immediately cease hostilities and resolve differences through dialogue, to ensure the security and stability of Sudan.

In Manama, Bahrain welcomed the Saudi-US initiative to start preliminary talks in Jeddah between representatives of the SAF and the RSF to reach a cessation of military operations and an end to the conflict.

The preliminary talks come under a Saudi-US mediation in addition to support and endorsement from the quartet countries, the Arab League (AL) States, and the tripartite mechanism.

The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed Manama’s call to all Sudanese parties to let wisdom prevail and seriously commit to stopping the bloodshed.

It also called for providing protection for civilians and diplomats, facilitating humanitarian access to affected areas, and completing the political Framework Agreement to reach a final agreement that meets the aspirations of the Sudanese people for security, peace, and stability, along with political, economic, and social progress.

In Doha, the State of Qatar welcomed the joint Saudi-US statement announcing the start of preliminary talks between representatives of the SAF and the RSF in Jeddah.

In a statement on Saturday, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hopes that the talks in Jeddah would pave the way for ending hostilities and launching extended negotiations that bring together all Sudanese political forces to arrive at a permanent and comprehensive peace agreement that realizes the Sudanese people’s aspirations of stability, prosperity, and development. — SPA