Saudis agree to military cooperation with Sudan
|
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, July 25, 2001
ABU DHABI Ñ Saudi Arabia has agreed to explore the prospect of
military cooperation with Sudan.
Talks have been held between Sudanese Defense Minister Bakri Saleh and
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz to establish links
between their militaries. Few details have been disclosed.
Arab diplomatic sources said the Saudi kingdom intends to help Sudanese
President Omar Bashir reenter the Arab and international community after
years of isolation. Bashir is said to have ended Sudan's support for Islamic
insurgency since the dismissal of parliamentary speaker Hassan Turabi in
1999.
The sources said Egypt has urged Riyad to help Sudan. Khartoum remains
on the U.S. State Department list of terrorist sponsors.
Sudan also wants to receive support from Saudi Arabia to bolster
Khartoum's security services. The subject was a topic of discussion between
visiting Sudanese Interior Minister Adel Hussein and his Saudi counterpart,
Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz.
The Jedda-based Saudi radio said that Hussein also reviewed the latest
security developments in Sudan.
Last week, Sudan arrested an alleged espionage ring headed by a Tunisian
national that was said to have provided information on Khartoum's support
for terrorism since 1993. The arrest has harmed relations between Khartoum
and Tunis.
|