Sudan's president described the situation in Darfur as "reassuring" in his first comments since US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell characterized the violence in the region as genocide.
Though he did not mention Mr Powell by name, President Omar el-Bashir was clearly referring to the US official, saying his country's enemies are disappointed to see that life is returning to normal in most parts of the vast western region.
"We can say the situation in Darfur is very reassuring, contrary to what the others are saying at present about what is going on in Darfur," Mr el-Bashir said in comments broadcast Friday on state-run TV.
On Thursday, Mr Powell declared the violence amounted to "genocide." Sudanese officials rejected the Secretary of State's remarks, which came as a US proposal in the UN Security Council to impose sanctions against Sudan encountered opposition.
"We believe that the positive, huge and successive developments that have taken place in Darfur have surprised the enemies of Sudan," he added. "That is why they tried to impede these efforts which, God willing, shall lead to the realization of peace, security and stability in Darfur at the end."