Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has made a rare visit to Darfur, where he made an appeal for peace and unity in the region.
Mr. Bashir spoke Saturday to a gathering in Nyala, the provincial capital. The president said citizens want a comprehensive peace followed by development. He called on armed rebels to join the political process.
Later Sunday, President Bashir will chair a Cabinet meeting in El Fasher, the capital of north Darfur. He returns Monday to Khartoum.
More than four years of fighting in the western Sudanese Darfur region have killed an estimated 200,000 people and displaced more than two million others.
The Sudanese government has been accused of arming Arab militia, which have been blamed for many atrocities. Khartoum denies any connection with the violence.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and AP.