Sudan president postpones visit to UAE for the second time

March 02, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese president Omar Hassan Al-Bashir postponed his visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) which was scheduled for today.

The daily Al-Rayaam said that the visit has been rescheduled till March 9th but gave no reason for the delay.

Last December Al-Bashir’s scheduled visit to UAE was delayed to enable Al-Bashir to take part in the funeral of his uncle who passed away around that time.

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 diplomats 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)