KHARTOUM, Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- The Sudanese government on Saturday confirmed its readiness to resume peace talks with Darfur rebels in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, the official SUNA news agency reported.

    The government "has a clear view on the political solution as well as arrangements of the situation in Darfur within the framework of the southern Sudan peace agreement," Political Secretary of the ruling National Congress Majzoub el-Khalifa was quoted as telling a visiting African Union (AU) delegation. He reiterated his government's commitment to a ceasefire agreement and a full cooperation with the AU to realize stability in Darfur.

    He commended the AU's stance that the Darfur conflict should be solved within the African framework, without any external interventions, to ensure Sudan's unity and sovereignty. The delegation also commended the government's keenness to find a comprehensive solution to the Darfur crisis through political dialogue.

    Violence flared up in February 2003 between local farmers and militia over scarce natural resources in the western Darfur region. After two years of clashes, two main rebel groups began painstaking peace talks with the Sudanese government. A ceasefire agreement has been signed between the two sides, but violations have been reported on both sides from time to time. Enditem