Sudan president calls on armed groups for dialogue

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Saturday renewed his call to rebel groups for negotiations on lasting solutions to the country's issues.

"We reiterate once again that our efforts will continue for dialogue with the arms carriers who are willing to present their issues for reaching lasting solutions with which we can end the root-causes of difference and pave the way for opening a new page," said Omar al-Bashir addressing the opening session of the second economic forum here.

"The development of the national economy requires resolution of the root-causes of armed and tribal conflicts," Xinhua quoted the president as saying.

The forum is scheduled to discuss issues of financial and economic policies, the sustainable regional development, and the economic hardships faced by the country, particularly after the separation of South Sudan.

The two-day forum will be attended by economic experts and experts from the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the Islamic Development Bank.

Sudanese President had decided this month to end all armed clashes and conflicts in all areas of Sudan by the end of 2014.

Sudan's Defence Minister Abdul-Rahim Mohamed Hussein last week declared a major military campaign aimed at ending the armed rebellion in Sudan's Darfur region and Blue Nile and South Kordofan states on the border with South Sudan.