Sudan summons Libyan diplomat over accusations of backing Islamists militias
September 15, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s foreign ministry on Monday has summoned the Libyan acting charge d’affaires and conveyed to him Khartoum’s dismay of accusations made by the Libyan prime minister Abdullah al-Thinni of Khartoum’s backing of Libyan Islamist militias.
It noted that this action by Sudan violates Libya’s sovereignty and constitutes interference in its affairs, adding that they formally informed the Sudanese military attaché that he is persona non grata.
However, Sudan’s foreign ministry and National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) asserted that the plane mentioned in the media that landed at Kufra airport carried and unloaded supplies for use by the joint Sudanese-Libyan border control forces.
Al-Thani on Sunday reiterated accusations made previously by Tripoli against Qatar and Sudan of backing Islamist militias by sending arms shipments into the restive north African nation.
He told UAE-based Arab TV channel Sky News that “the Sudanese brothers are trying to interfere in Libya’s affairs”, adding they would “breaking off relations if this interference into Libya’s internal affairs continued,”.
Sudan’s foreign ministry undersecretary, Abdalla al-Azrag, said that foreign minister, Ali Karti, informed al-Thani in a phone conversation on Sunday of Sudan’s position in this regard, pointing Khartoum’s keenness to achieve peace and stability in Libya.
According to al-Azrag, Karti informed al-Thani of Sudan’s readiness to make every possible effort to reconcile views among warring Libyan factions, noting that Khartoum is ready to receive all actors in the Libyan political arena to consult with them on reconciliation efforts.
He noted that Karti categorically denied Sudan interference in Libyan internal affairs, underscoring that such a behavior contradicts with Sudan’s policies and practices.
Al-Azrag said Karti further explained to the Libyan prime minister facts relating to the Sudanese military transport plane, stressing that it was on a regular flight and landed at Kufra airport to deliver supplies for use by the joint Sudanese-Libyan border control forces.
Karti added that the flight was carried out at the request of the joint forces in which the Libyan side is represented by Colonel Suleiman Hamid who gave landing permission in the presence of the national army commanders and tribal leaders, noting the plane returned to Sudan after unloading cargo.
He stressed the plane was not heading to Mitiga airport as mentioned by some media oulets, pointing to statements of Colonel Hamid which affirmed this information.
Al-Azrag emphasized to the Libyan acting charge d’affaires Sudan’s keenness to maintain security and stability of Libya, underscoring commitment to the decisions of the fourth ministerial meeting for the neighboring countries of Libya which was held in Cairo last month.
He also stressed Sudan’s desire to develop strong relations with Libya, denouncing any attempts to destabilize Libya’s security and stability.
(ST)