Sudan says it is taking measures to restore its "damaged image" caused by "US propaganda".

The Americans are "using the pretext that we are not implementing what was agreed on Darfur. This is strange because we have done it," said Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol yesteday.

"The obvious conclusion is that these sanctions proposed by the United States are designed to scuttle the peace process and not allow it to take its course." Akol said. "Sanctions will not serve the interests of Darfurians; they only serve the US' internal interests."

The minister also drew a clear line between the US and some European countries, who he praised for resisting pressure to follow the US' lead and impose sanctions on Sudan.

The US tightened economic sanctions against Sudan for failing to end the violence in Darfur on May 29.

Sudan is hosting the 4th session of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services in Africa (CISSA), which aims to strengthen collaboration among African security and intelligence organs to tackle major security threats facing the continent.

"Sudan is passing through a historical phase following the tough tests it experienced to achieve security," Sudanese Vice-President Ali Osman Mohammed Taha said on Wednesday while addressing the chiefs of security and intelligence services from 54 African countries and 18 delegations from outside of Africa.

"We shall overcome all obstacles that hamper a peaceful solution to the Darfur problem," Taha said.

(China Daily June 8, 2007)