Libya’s new masters are thankful for Sudan’s military support
August 28, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — The head of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) confirmed reports about Sudan’s military support to the Libyan rebels in their fight against Gaddafi’s regime. He further thanked Bashir’s government and pledged to return the favour on a much larger scale.
Speaking to the press following the meeting, the NTC chairman expressed the gratitude of the Libyan opposition to the Sudanese government for the support provided in their fight against the regime of the Colonel Muammar Gaddafi during the past six months.
“It is time to announce that Sudan provided military support to the revolutionaries,” Jalil said adding that this support helped them to “liberate some cities, such as the city of Kufra” in the remote southeastern desert.
The Daily Telegraph reported last July that the Sudanese army controlled Kufra citing British officials monitoring the no-fly zone enforces by NATO over Libya. But Khartoum was quick to dismiss the report. However it is clear today that Sudan played a role in the seizure of this town by the rebels.
“Our surveillance shows that they are not moving oil, so its not about money in the short term,” the source told the London based daily newspaper.
Sudan since several months emitted regular complaints about Tripoli’s support to Darfur rebel groups. The attack of May 2008, and the presence of the leader of Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in the Libyan capital despite Khartoum’s repeated requests to expel him, motivated Khartoum’s decision to back the Libyan rebels.
Amin Hassan Omer, government top negotiator in the Doha peace process and newly tasked with Darfur file, last Friday disclosed in a radio talk show that Sudan and Qatar were coordinating their efforts to support the Libyan rebels.
He further said one of the visits of President Bashir to the Qatari capital was dedicated to talks on the support of Libyan rebels . Qatar which was the first Arab nation to declare its support to the Libyan armed opposition, participates with six Mirages and two C-17s transports in the international coalition against Gaddafi’s regime.
Karti told reporters that Sudanese were very happy than with the fall of Gaddafi’s regime because “Sudan is hurt by Gaddafi more than any other country after the Libyan people”.
He also called for a joint cooperation to control and monitor the border between the two countries. In return, the head of the Libyan new authority reiterated swiftly the determination of his administration to work together with Khartoum in the monitoring of boundary and to develop strong relations with the Sudan.
After securing the Chadian and Center African borders with Darfur, Khartoum considers vital for the fight against the Darfurian rebellion to control the northern border of the restive region.
(ST)