KHARTOUM, March 18 (NNN-KUNA): A team from the Arab League began Wednesday its mission to monitor the April 11 Sudanese elections, to be held in line with the peace agreement between the South and North of Sudan.

The Arab League team held meetings with Sudanese officials, representatives of regional and international organizations based in Khartoum, and political parties’ oficials.

Team leader Ambassador Salah Halima, speaking to reporters after meeting with Sudanese foreign ministry officials, said his 50-member team wanted to have a closer look at the atmosphere of the preparations for the elections.

Sudanese foreign ministry undersecretary Mutref Seddiq welcomed the regional and international monitoring teams.

This will be the first election in 24 years, in which 14,000 candidates are competing including 12 presidential candidates.

Monitors from the European Union (EU), African Union (AU), the US, Russia, China and Canada are also taking part in the elections.

-NNN-KUNA

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