Chinese Special Envoy on African Affairs Liu Guijin on Wednesday called for concerted efforts to be made especially by western countries toward an early ending of Darfur crisis in western Sudan through negotiations between warring parties.

"There is no military solution on the ground. The only possible solution to Darfur problem is the political process," Liu told reporters in a press briefing held here at the Chinese Embassy.

"We need a comprehensive approach to address the problem. To have embargoes or sanctions will not solve the problem," he said during a two-day visit here.

Liu said that China has been extensively involved in facilitating the peace process in Darfur by persuading the Sudanese government to show more flexibility, which has led to Sudan's acceptance of a hybrid peacekeeping mission in the region led by the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN).

He further urged his western colleagues, who seem to have more access to and influence on rebels, to spare no effort to bring them to the negotiation table.

"We appeal to our western partners to exert more influence to convince the rebels to agree and come to the negotiating table with the government of Sudan," he said.

The smooth implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) reached between northern and southern Sudan is the only means to achieve total and sustainable peace in the country, he noted.

The envoy said he fully supports the position taken by the AU and the Arab League on the arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March this year.

The warrant details charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during the conflict in Darfur.

The AU has decided not to cooperate with ICC before an independent investigation is done by former South African President Thabo Mbeki.

"We criticize such move and refuse to cooperate with it. The position of the Chinese government is in compliance with the AU and the Arab League position," Liu said, noting President Bashir has a significant role to play in the implementation of CPA and DPA.

"President Bahir has played a very key role in DPA and CPA. How can you implement them without the involvement of the Sudanese government? If you want peace to be realized in Sudan, the government is a must in this process," he said.

On the concern that the deteriorating relationship between Sudan and neighboring Chad could further impede the peace process in Darfur, Liu said China has been mediating between the two countries to normalize their bilateral relations.

In his recent visits to the two countries, he had tried to persuade the two sides that normalizing the bilateral relationship is for their mutual and shared interests, Liu said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2009)