KHARTOUM, Oct. 31, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- The Sudanese President Omer al- Bashir Friday affirmed the important role being played by President of Burkina Faso Blaise Compaore to find a peaceful settlement for the Darfur issue.

Al-Bashir made the affirmation in a joint press conference with visiting President Compaore after closed-door talks between the two leaders Friday evening.

The Sudanese president said "president Compaore is concerned with the peace in Africa in general and Sudan and west Africa in particular. This concern is represented in sparing his Foreign Minister Djibril Basole to be the joint mediator of the United Nations and African Union to resolve the Darfur crisis."

"The visit tends to boost the distinguished and progressive bilateral relations and enhances the efforts to resolve the Darfur issue," he added.

Compaore, for his part, expressed hope that the forthcoming Qatari-hosted talks between the Sudanese government and the Darfur armed movements, scheduled for November 16, would come out with positive results.

"I hope Sudan would be able to overcome all obstacles and challenges so that peace would prevail this dear part of Africa," said Compaore.

President Compaore arrived in Khartoum on Friday in an official two-day visit to Sudan.