Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi on Monday called for resolving the Darfur issue through political means, saying that new pressure or sanctions against Khartoum would only complicate the issue and make it more difficult to resolve.

He said the Darfur issue would be resolved only through political means within the framework of the tripartite consultation mechanism of the African Union (AU), the United Nations and the Sudanese government.

During a meeting with Liu Guijin, special representative of the Chinese government for Darfur, Meles stressed that the leading role of the AU and the UN should be played in resolving the Darfur issue.

As a member of the AU and a friendly neighbor of Sudan, Ethiopia hopes the Darfur issue would be solved at an early date, he said.

An early solution to the Darfur issue is conducive to safeguarding Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintaining regional peace and stability and promoting Sudan's north-south peace process, according to the Ethiopian prime minister.

Meles praised China's key role in resolving the Darfur issue, as well as China's huge efforts to push forward an early solution to the issue.

Liu briefed China's stance on the Darfur issue and expressed appreciation for Ethiopia's unremitting efforts in resolving the issue.

Both China and Ethiopia hold identical views with regard to the Darfur issue, said the Chinese envoy.

The international community should push the parties concerned to implement the agreements soonest possible and advance the peacekeeping operations and the political process in the Darfur region in a balanced way, said Liu.

China supports the AU and its members in playing a bigger role in resolving the Darfur issue and is willing to strengthen cooperation with them on this issue, he said.

Liu arrived here Sunday evening after ending a visit to South Africa.

Source: Xinhua