Visiting African Union (AU) Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare on Wednesday stressed the importance of the AU's role in solving the Darfur crisis.

Speaking to reporters after talks with Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir, Konare said that the African Union will play its role to seek a final political solution to the crisis.

On the next round of peace talks to be held in the Nigerian capital Abuja on Friday, Konare expressed hope that the talks will be final and a political solution could be achieved.

He said that the AU is keen to see a united democratic Sudan despite its diversity and differences.

He urged Darfur rebel groups to unite stances and halt hostilities, saying the AU has received confirmation from the rebel groups that they will participate in the next round of peace talks.

Konare paid a brief visit to Sudan on his way to Abuja for the peace talks, which are expected to last for three weeks.

Rebels in Sudan's western Darfur region took up arms against the government in February 2003, accusing it of neglect. During the violence, many people have been killed and more displaced.

The AU has brokered a shaky ceasefire and deployed some 2,300 troops to help maintain peace, but the truce deal has not been translated into action on the ground.

Source: Xinhua