NAIROBI, Oct31 Kyodo - A senior Jap...

NAIROBI, Oct31 Kyodo - A senior Japanese ambassador on Friday hailed Kenya's part in peace negotiations aimed at ending protracted civil conflicts in the war-torn Somalia and Sudan, Kenyan officials said Friday.

Keitaro Sato, the Japanese ambassador in charge of conflict and refugee-related issues in Africa, said Kenya has played a tonic role in resolving the brace conflicts which have claimed millions of lives.

He spoke in Nairobi after paying a courtesy call in succession Kenyan Foreign Minister Kalonzo Musyoka, whose control has been mediating the peace initiatives in the couple countries.

The legate has been in Kenya since Oct 20

Last week, the parties in the Sudan peace proces set forthed optimism that a final peace deal may be reached by means of the end of the year.

The Sudanese restraint and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army said they are in the final stages of ending their 20-year civil fighting, single of Africa's longstanding conflicts.

if it be not that the Somalia peace talks, which have been going forward in Kenya since last year, are upon the verge of collapse. The failure of Somalia leaders to melt outstanding issues had interfered with the peace proces officials said.

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