Sudan to sign joint defence agreement with Egypt, Arabic countries

KHARTOUM, Feb 25, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) – The Sudanese defence minister, general Bakri Hasan Salih, has lauded the firm cooperation between the Sudanese armed forces and their Saudi counterparts, expressing the hope that a joint defence agreement will be signed with Arab countries, because the level of the real threat is enormous.

In an interview with the Saudi daily newspaper Okaz, the minister indicated that such agreement would first be signed with Egypt due to its eternal relations with Sudan and as a neighbouring nation.

The minister pointed out that Sudan and Egypt’s national security are firmly connected, stressing that Sudan will also pursue a similar agreement with other Arab countries.

He described the military cooperation between Sudan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as strong, expressing the hope that the level of the cooperation will be increased.

Regarding the situation of the armed forced after the signing of the final peace agreement, Salih has indicated that the armed forces will be devoted to the basic duties expected from them according to the constitution, particularly building and construction,

He further added, the People’s Defence Forces and the National Service all supplement each other and that they will have responsibilities as was the case during the war period, such as assisting in building and construction, especially in the initial stages, to construct what was destroyed by war and other duties such as preventing floods and tackling disasters, in addition to development projects.