Sudan president postpones visit to UAE

December 15, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir postponed his visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) which was scheduled for today.

Sudan news agency (SUNA) quoted Sudan Ambassador to UAE Ahmad Ja’far as saying that the new date for the visit “would be determined later following consultation between the leaderships of the two countries”.

The government sponsored Sudanese Media Center (SMC) website reported that the postponement was to enable Al-Bashir to take part in the funeral of his uncle who passed away Saturday.

Relations between UAE and Sudan improved significantly in late 90’s after a period of tension between the two countries.

The United Arab Emirates expelled the Sudanese ambassador in Abu Dhabi and six other Sudanese diplomat in 1992, the first move of its kind in the history of the oil rich country.

The UAE has refused subsequent request to restore full diplomatic relationship. In 1999 Sudan and the UAE agreed to restore their diplomatic ties to ambassador level.

(ST)