Xinhua Middle East news summary at 2200 GMT, April 19

CAIRO -- Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Wednesday called on conflicting Sudanese parties to cease fire during the upcoming Eid al-Fitr (festival of breaking the fast) holiday that follows the holy month of Ramadan.

"I call on the brothers in Sudan from the Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) ... to announce a ceasefire during the Eid days," the chief of the pan-Arab organization said in a video statement. (Arab League-Sudan-Ceasefire)