Sudan re-opens borders with Libya

February 27, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan has re-opened its borders with Libya after nearly eight months of closure in order to evacuate hundreds of its nationals stranded there as unrest continues to hit the country.

Libya continues to sink deeper into chaos as its defiant ruler Muammar Gaddafi battles to retain control of the capital Tripoli after east of the country, including the city of Bangazi, fell to the hands of protestors demanding an end to his despotic four-decade rule.

Sudan sealed off its borders with Libya in early July 2010 as tension rose between the two neighbors over Libya’s hosting of Darfur rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim after he was shunned by his erstwhile allies in Chad.

Sudan’s Minister of Interior on Sunday issued directives to open border crossings with Libya.

“Interior Ministry has issued a decision to reopen the border crossings between Sudan and Libya to facilitate return of the Sudanese nationals in Libya,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Sudan has so far evacuated some 1,000 Sudanese who were stranded at the Egyptian border area of al-Salum. Around 400 of them have been transported to Egyptian cities near the border with Libya while 600 others are expected to arrive in Egypt on Sunday across al-Salum.

The ministry announced that the competent authorities had immediately formed taskforces and teams to facilitate the return of Sudanese nationals.

The move follows media reports that hundreds of Sudanese are stranded in al-Salum waiting for Sudanese diplomats to facilitate their entry to Egypt. Al-Jazzirah channel has broadcast an urgent call by thousands of Sudanese in Bangazi on the Sudanese government to evacuate them.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese top diplomat Foreign Minister Ali Karti announced Sudan’s readiness to secure the return of hundreds of Sudanese in Libya, including members of Darfur rebel groups.

Sudan’s ministry of foreign affairs accused Darfur rebels of involvement in clashes in Libya after reports suggested that Gaddafi is using “African mercenaries” to quell the protestors.

Darfur rebel groups strongly denied taking any part in Libya clashes, accusing the Sudanese government of endangering the lives of its own citizens by pitting Libyans against them.

(ST)