UNITED NATIONS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy said Wednesday that it is imperative to continue to advance the political and peace processes in Darfur of Sudan.

"At present, Darfur is at a key juncture, transitioning from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. The international community should continue to advance relevant political and peace processes in a bid to achieve steady and smooth transition," Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council meeting on the situation in Sudan and South Sudan.

"All parties should continue to exercise restraint, avoid use of force, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Darfur," he said.

"Some opposition and armed groups should abandon military solution in real earnest, actively participate in the peace process, resolve their tensions and differences politically through dialogue and consultation," the Chinese envoy said.

The briefing took place less than one week after the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir on April 11 by the Sudanese military following protests in many parts of the country calling for al-Bashir, who had ruled Sudan for nearly three decades, to step down.

On April 11, Sudan's Defense Minister, General Ahmed Awad Ibn Auf, appeared on state television and announced the military's detention of al-Bashir, the suspension of the constitution, and the start of a two-year transitional period to be overseen by the military and followed by elections. A three-month state of emergency was also declared in the country. Enditem

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