UN optimistic for credible elections in Sudan

KHARTOUM, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Mission in Sudan ( UNMIS) on Sunday expressed optimism that the coming elections in Sudan will be credible and will satisfy the Sudanese people and the international community.

"Despite the challenges, I believe the elections will be held and will by and large satisfy the observers, and above all, the Sudanese people," said Ashraf Qazi, UN secretary general's special representative in Sudan, at a press conference in Khartoum Sunday.

"The elections will be credible, open and free, though may not be perfect. I believe that the National Elections Commission (NEC) is making steady and significant progress," he added.

He further expressed optimism that the Sudanese people, in particular the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signatories -- the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) -- will overcome all challenges and work together to sustain peace in the country.

"Yes, the year 2010 will be the last full year of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, I do believe that the people of Sudan will overcome all the challenges," said Qazi.

Qazi's tenure as UN secretary general's special representative in Sudan is expected to end by the end of February.

On Feb. 2, 2010, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the appointment of Haile Menkerios, an Eritrean diplomat, as the new special representative in Sudan to succeed Qazi.