Obama lobbies regional leaders on Sudan

Washington, 20 Dec – (ANA) – US President Barack Obama, who has pushed Sudan over an upcoming referendum and the crisis in Darfur, has written to leaders in the region stressing U.S. commitment to a peaceful vote, the White House said on Sunday.

With the referendum on southern independence just three weeks away and violence in the south flaring, Obama is trying to galvanize the region to pressure Khartoum to make sure the vote takes place on time and the outcome is respected.

"President Obama has made it clear that Sudan is one of the administration's top priorities; we have a vision of hope, peace and prosperity for the people of Sudan," said White House National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer. (ANA)

FA/ANA/20 December 2010------