KHARTOUM, Sudan, September 04, SPA -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday that time was critical and the Sudanese government's cooperation «essential» to successfullydeploying a new peacekeeping force in war-torn Darfur. Ban was quoted as saying by the Associated Press that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir responded positively and reassured the U.N. Chief that his government was ready to cooperate. «Time is of the essence. And the government's cooperationis essential on a range of practical matters,» Ban said. «President Bashir affirmed his commitment and readinessto facilitate all necessary administrative and logisticalsupport, and I appreciate his willingness to cooperatefully,» he told reporters at the airport in Khartoum onTuesday before flying to Juba in southern Sudan. Ban metwith al-Bashir over dinner Monday at the start of his firsttrip to Sudan since taking the reins of the U.N. inJanuary.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/479919