Sudan deploys troops to borders with Libya
May 31, 2011 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese government sent reinforcements to the borders with Libya amid reports of fighting between Darfur rebels and armed Libyan opposition, an official said today.
The official said that the security arrangements are preventive and defensive in nature as part of the security plan in place since the outbreak of the crisis of Libya.
“We took all precautions early in order to avoid any effects or possible negative repercussions on the security, social or economic aspects as a result of Libyan battles and reports of clashes between Darfuri movements and Libyans rebels,” Alfa said.
Gaddafi is fighting an armed rebellion that initially started as a popular uprising in mid-February. The Libyan opposition managed to control most of the Eastern side of the country. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in March authorized a no-fly zone over Libya and using all necessary means to protect civilians.
Now in its fourth month, Libya’s conflict is deadlocked on the ground, with anti-Gaddafi rebels unable to break out of their strongholds and advance towards Tripoli, where Gaddafi appears to be firmly entrenched.
Rebels control the east of Libya around the city of Benghazi, Libya’s third-biggest city Misrata, and a mountain range stretching from the town of Zintan, 150 km (95 miles) south of Tripoli, towards the border with Tunisia.
Sudan closed its shared borders with Libya in early July 2010 after Libya provided sanctuary to Khalil Ibrahim, the leader of the Darfur rebel group justice and Equality Movement (JEM).
The borders were re-opened in February this year as Sudan attempted to evacuate thousands of its citizens fleeing the war in Libya.
Last week, a Libyan rebel commander said that opposition fighters fought off a Sudanese mercenary force 18 miles (30 kilometers) west of the southeast oasis of Kufra.
He said they also found documents indicating the fighters were from Darfur JEM.
The pro-government Al-Intibaha newspaper said last week that Darfur rebels from the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur also clashed with Libyan opposition near Kufra.
Witnesses in Libya have reported African mercenary fighters shooting at protesters or being captured by anti-Gadhafi forces. Some were flown in to put down the rebellion, but most fighters were already in the country.
In a related issue Kamal Huzayfa, a leading figure in the Libyan Transitional National Council (TNC), concluded his visit to Sudan where he vowed intensification of military campaign against Gaddafi’s rule.
Huzayfa disclosed that the TNC will send some of its members for training inside Sudan but did not elaborate on the nature of the training. He expressed the council’s gratitude to the people of Sudan and its government for their support.
(ST)
son of man
Sudan deploys troops to borders with Libya
why is bashir jumping up and down? is it not the same Gaddafi that ask the african nations to disregards icc in your support? i think your government will fall before Gaddafi’s. because he is the only arab leader that call africa home and respect other african. you and the bunch of other arabs in north africa and the middle east are now conpiring against Gaddafi in supports of terrorist but the rest of Africa will stand with him. don’t foreget how libya help sudan during it darkes days. so don’t think that this terrorist will do the same if they come to power because libya will be disintegrated and there will be no peace in north africa for a very long time. it’s good see this division happening to the arabs ha ha very funny. i thought you sons of bastard were smart enough but now i know you are just alots of idiots who happen to believe the same prophets.