United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has welcomed the initialing earlier today by the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement of the last two agreements of the North-South peace process covering the permanent Ceasefire and Security Agreement and implementation of all other protocols and agreements.

In a statement Friday, the Secretary-General says the agreements constitute an integral part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which marks the parties' commitment to end more than two decades of civil war. The Secretary-General commends the dedication of the Sudanese delegates who persevered to bring the talks to a successful conclusion by the agreed timeline.