Sudanese government to fight against Darfur rebels aggressions: official

KHARTOUM, Jan 12, 2005 (Xinhua) — A senior Sudanese official announced Wednesday that his government would respond to any aggressions by the Darfur rebels so as to “defend its forces and citizens”, the Sudanese News Agency reported.

Ahmed Haroun, a state minister in the Sudanese Interior Ministry, made the announcement in response to an urgent inquiring by a Sudanese parliamentarian on the Darfur rebels’ repeated aggressions against Ghubeish town in western Kordofan state adjacent to Darfur.

“The Sudanese government will not start the attack, however, it will not lift hand before the aggressions of the rebels,” Haroun was quoted as saying.

“We will not allow such gangs to show their view and we will work through our security forces to maintain security,” he added.

A series of fightings recently took place between the Sudanese armed forces and the Darfur rebels in Ghubeish, leaving tens dead from both sides.

The Sudanese government has accused the rebels of attempting to extend the Darfur conflict out of the region so as to practise more pressure on the government at a time when a comprehensive peace agreement has been signed with the southern rebels.