Libya leader thanks Sudan for weapons

World

Libya leader thanks Sudan for weapons

Close

Libya leader, in Khartoum, thanks Sudan for weapons.

26 November,2011 07:18 am

The head of Libyas interim ruling council said Sudanese weapons and ammunition sent through Egypt helped Libyas former rebels oust Muammar Gaddafi.Sudanese weapons and ammunition sent through Egypt helped Libyas former rebels oust Muammar Gaddafi and take control of the North African country, the head of Libyas interim ruling council said.Relations between Khartoum and Tripoli were strained during Gaddafis rule because of the slain leaders support for rebels in Sudans western Darfur region and in South Sudan, which seceded in July under a 2005 peace deal.Sudanese officials now hope for better ties with Libya, which shares a desert border with Sudan. Mustafa Abdel Jalil, chairman of Libyas National Transitional Council, arrived in Khartoum on his first official visit.The Libyans consider and appreciate the role of Sudan in supporting their revolution politically through Sudans role in the Arab League or through the aid received by us through the desert and across the borders or militarily, he said at a conference of Sudans ruling National Congress Party.Sudans military is fighting armed insurgencies in two states near its border with South Sudan and in Darfur, where rebels took up arms in 2003.Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of orchestrating genocide in Darfur, accusations Khartoum denies.Gaddafis fall helped Sudans government by depriving Darfur rebels of a safe haven. The regions most powerful rebel group, the Justice and Equality Movement, said in September its leader had returned after taking refuge in Tripoli.