KHARTOUM, Jan. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismail Sunday called on Washington to fulfill its commitments to promoting bilateral relations after signature of the peace agreement ending a 21-year civil war in south Sudan.

    Ismail made the appeal in a congratulation message to new US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on the occasion of her assumption of the office, reported the Sudan News Agency.

    The Sudanese foreign minister expressed his country's appreciation to the US administration over its initiative that contributed to the achievement of peace in Sudan and signing of the comprehensive peace agreement in Nairobi, Kenya on January 9.

    "It is the time for the American Administration to fulfill its commitments to improve its relations with Sudan by normalizing all the ties as well as lifting the political and economic sanctions it imposed against Sudan," he said.

    Ismail affirmed his country's commitment to solving the Darfur problem and urged the US government to put pressures on the Darfur rebel groups to take serious steps towards peace.

    He concluded his message by renewing Sudan's commitment to maintaining contact and dialogue with the American administration over the second four-year term of President George W. Bush in orderto achieve peace and security. Enditem