The Sudanese Ambassador yesterday commended President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's keenness to promote national reconciliation in Sudan.

Speaking at the Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up, Ambassador Moheideen Salim Ahmed said Sheikh Zayed was the first Arab leader to urge various Sudanese oppositions groups and the government of President Omar Hassan Ahmed Al Bashir to set aside their political differences and work towards national reconciliation that would ensure sustainable socio-economic and political stability in the country.

"That call by Sheikh Zayed was made out of sincere concern for the people of Sudan. Unfortunately, as Sudanese, we missed that opportunity," said Ahmed.

On bilateral relations, he said his country enjoys excellent, long-standing ties with the UAE that date back to the early 50s.

The first batch of Sudanese administrators began to arrive in various emirates in 1961, where they engaged in laying down the foundations of the civil service, the police, the army and the municipalities.

The first state visit of Sheikh Zayed following the formation of the federation was to Sudan, in February 1972. This was reciprocated a few months later by the then Sudanese President Ja'afar Numeiri.

Sheikh Zayed visited Sudan again in 1977, and since then relations have continued to thrive even at the height of Arab schism of 1991 during the Gulf War, said the ambassador.

Relations moved to a stage of advanced economic partnership in 1999-2000, a period which witnessed the signing of trade agreements between the two countries.

A joint business council comprising businessmen from the two countries was formed to oversee projects.

Replying to reports that have appeared recently in the media suggesting that Sudan and Somalia might be the next possible U.S. targets in its campaign against the Al Qaida organisation, the Sudanese envoy said there were no Al Qaida pockets in Sudan and, therefore, nothing would justify such a move.

"It suffices to say that Osama bin Laden left Sudan as a result of a U.S.-Sudanese arrangement," he said.

His country, he added, is engaged in dialogue with the U.S. on issues of bilateral relations and realisation of peace in Sudan.