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 SIRTE, Libya (AP) - Crippled by the absence of key rebel leaders, a highly anticipated Darfur peace conference was effectively postponed Sunday to give rebel delegates time to prepare before direct negotiations with the Sudanese government.
The U.N. and African Union peace mediators described a multiphase process of talks involving an initial "consultation" period ahead of "substantial negotiations" set to open in a few weeks.
"The process leading to negotiations has begun," said Salim Ahmed Salim, the AU envoy. The mediators stated the consultation phase would start Monday, and Salim said "the actual date when the negotiations will begin" would be determined later.
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