Sudan says informed UK embassy of terrorism risk

Monday 20 August 2007.

August 19, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan showed understanding to the closure of consular section at the British embassy in Khartoum. Further, the Foreign ministry said it had provided the embassy with information on the risk of terror action against the United Kingdom diplomatic mission there.

Spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs, Ali al-Sadiq, disclosed that a security alert from the Sudanese authorities triggered the temporary closure of visa, consular sections of the British embassy in Khartoum.

In a press release, the British Embassy announced yesterday the temporary suspension of public services at the Embassy from 19 August. "The Visa and Consular sections of the Embassy will be closed until further notice." The statement said.

This closure comes after Sudanese police found three weapons caches in the capital during the past week. Police arrested eight Sudanese in connection with the stores, which mostly contained grenades and ammunition.

Sadiq also said that the foreign ministry under secretary Mutref Sideiq, met today with Ambassadors of France, UK, UN and USA, to inform them about the arrest of this terrorist group which had plans to attack the missions of the three countries and the UN.

The spokesperson said that giving such information to UK embassy was aimed at taking caution before bad thing happened to the mission, its property and staff, adding that more security has been provided to the embassy in the framework of the government’s responsibility.

On August 13, an explosion occurred yesterday at a house in the Um-Salma area, south of Khartoum, injuring two people. Sudanese police, which is probing the case, said three people were arrested. Following this explosion the police discovered the three weapons caches.

Also Sudan has banned today the local press from reporting on the weapon caches and the arrested groups. The press had initially reported that foreign Islamists had been arrested but an interior ministry source played down fears of terrorist attacks.

(ST)