Sudan rejects US demand to expel Palestinian militants

KHARTOUM, Oct 22 (AFP) — Sudan has rejected a demand by the United States to close down the offices of the Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the ruling party chief said here Wednesday.

National Congress Party (NCP) Secretary General Ibrahim Ahmed Omar told reporters his party “rejects” a demand reported to have been made by US Secretary of State Colin Powell for shutting down the groups’ Khartoum offices.

“Our position towards Hamas and Jihad is clear, as both organisations are Islamic forces struggling for the freedom of their homeland and this is a legitimate right,” said Omar, dismissing the notion that they are terrorists.

“We do not share the viewpoint that the activities of Hamas and Jihad are terroristic,” said Omar, branding Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon as a terrorist.

“What is being perpetrated by Sharon and Israel is the real terrorism,” he charged.