Sudan, Somalia security discussed

CAIRO, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Egyptian and British officials recently held a meeting to discuss the developing security crisis in Sudan and Somalia.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and British Minister of State for African Affairs Malloch Brown met to update each other on the latest reports on Sudan while focusing their attention specifically on the Darfur crisis, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry reported.

Officials say Abul-Gheit gave Brown a briefing on "the latest developments of the political process in Darfur and ongoing preparations between the United Nations, the African Union and Sudan's neighbors for launching direct negotiations between the Khartoum government and Darfur rebels," the release said.

The two officials reviewed ongoing developments in Somalia, whose Parliament recently swore in Nur Hassan Hussein as prime minister in an effort to bolster a weakened interim government after months of battles against insurgents and an ongoing political deadlock.

"Their talks showed identical viewpoints on evaluating the situation in Somalia," Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said in a statement.

"They stressed the need to take action on the political and security tracks to restore security and stability in Somalia and widen the base of political participation in drawing up a political roadmap acceptable to the Somali people for the remaining transitional phase and beyond."