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Sudan Tribune

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Sudan says Darfur rebels could be involved in Libya turmoil

February 21, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan does not rule out the veracity of leaks on the involvement of rebel groups from its own western region of Darfur in the unfolding unrest in Libya, the country’s foreign ministry said on Monday.

Protesters wave a flag in this undated picture made available on Facebook February 20, 2011. The image was purportedly taken recently in Benghazi. (Reuters)
Protesters wave a flag in this undated picture made available on Facebook February 20, 2011. The image was purportedly taken recently in Benghazi. (Reuters)
The highly censored Libya, which shares its south east borders with Sudan and Darfur, has become the latest Arab country to be hit by the contagion of popular revolts which swept over the Arab World since the beginning of this year.

Dozens of people were killed in the last five days as anti-government protests spread from the eastern city of Benghazi, which reportedly fell in the hands of the opposition, to the streets of the capital Tripoli against the 41-year rule of President Muammar Gaddafi.

Reports emerging from Libya say foreign mercenaries are used in a desperate attempt to stop the growing protests in the country, but there was no any Libyan source mentioning the involvement of Sudanese nationals in these events.

However, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday told reporters they do not rule out reports on the involvement of Darfur armed militias in the unrest in Libya, adding competent authorities were in the process of ascertaining these claims.

Khalid Musa further said the Ministry had instructed Sudanese citizens in Libya to observe “extreme caution” and remain indoors until the situation is cleared.

A pro-government newspaper Al-Intibaha allged today that rebels from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) were among these mercenaries hired by the Libyan authorities to quell the popular revolt.

JEM spokesperson, Ahmed Hussein Adam, strongly condemned the report and accused the government of inciting anti-Sudanese hatred. Ahmed further said the NCP government bears the responsibility of any harm or damage occurs to Sudanese citizens there.

In a press statement he released the rebel official said JEM has no one single soldier in Libya adding that his Movement cannot interfere in the Libyan internal affairs.

Khalid said that the ministry had devised plans to meet all possibilities, including evacuation of Sudanese citizens whenever the circumstances demand.

The official spokesman assured that the ministry was continuously monitoring the situation in Libya through its ministry in Tripoli and consulate in Benghazi.

Libya, which moderated several talks to unite Darfur rebels, has been hosting JEM leader, Khalil Ibrahim, after he was denied entry to his erstwhile ally Chad in May last year.

The harboring of Khalil in Libya caused tension in relations between Tripoli and Khartoum, which closed its shared borders with Libya last year. However the Libyan government promised to contain Khalil and not allow him to conduct any activities from its territories.

The embattled Libyan leader Gaddafi previously accused Israel and the West of standing behind Darfur conflict.

(ST)

5 Comments

  • Aleu
    Aleu

    Sudan says Darfur rebels could be involved in Libya turmoil
    I said, last time in my comment that, after Egypt then, the next in line will be Libya, this is about Africa nations I was talking about. Without any doubt the North Sudan is next in line and it is going to be worst than Egypt, and Libya because there is already a genocide,war crime, crimes against humanity and Omar al Bashir had accepted 10,000 and denying the fact that, there were these 300,000 lives lost very innocents people at his watch. The Northern Sudan could break in to many or join nither side if they wanted.

    Reply
  • Namaa
    Namaa

    Sudan says Darfur rebels could be involved in Libya turmoil
    They were not the Darfur rebels, I saw them on television, these were wearing Sudanese anti riot police gear, we all know what the Darfur rebels look like, this yet another one of you lies NCP.

    Reply
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