CAIRO, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Egypt will not accept, under any circumstances, the collapse of Sudan, its national institutions, or the fragmentation of its territory, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Wednesday.
Abdelatty made the remarks at a joint press conference in Cairo with Ramtane Lamamra, the UN secretary-general's personal envoy for Sudan, on the sidelines of the fifth consultative meeting on enhancing coordination of peace efforts in Sudan.
The Egyptian minister reiterated his country's "red lines" regarding Sudan's unity and territorial integrity, stressing that Egypt would never recognize "any parallel entities or militias in Sudan."
He warned that "Egypt would not stand idle and would not hesitate to take necessary measures to preserve Sudan's unity and territorial integrity," emphasizing that the ongoing conflict poses serious risks to regional peace and security, particularly in neighboring countries and the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions.
The Egyptian foreign minister said ending the bloodshed requires an urgent humanitarian truce, to be followed by a sustainable ceasefire and the launch of "a comprehensive political process."
Chaired by Abdelatty, the meeting was attended by officials and representatives from over a dozen countries as well as regional and international organizations.
Chinese Ambassador to Egypt Liao Liqiang, who also attended the meeting, said that the most urgent task in resolving the Sudanese issue is to promote a ceasefire and that the fundamental solution is to achieve a political settlement.
He said that China maintains close communication with all relevant parties and "actively participates in mediation and political settlement efforts on the Sudan issue," adding that Beijing supports relevant peacemaking efforts by the UN and regional countries and organizations.
Liao pointed out that China has provided Sudan with multiple batches of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies and disaster relief assistance, and has cooperated with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on poverty alleviation and agricultural assistance programs in Sudan.
"Sudan's emergence from the shadow of war and the restoration of peace would benefit not only Sudan but also regional peace and stability," Liao added, stressing China's readiness to work with the international community to help end the fighting, ease the humanitarian crisis, and achieve lasting peace and reconstruction in Sudan. ■