Sudanese president accuses Egypt of arming rebels

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Tuesday accused Egypt of arming rebel groups in the troubled Darfur region.

In an address to top army brass, Bashir said Sudanese forces have captured Egyptian weapons during clashes with rebels in the East Darfur state.

He said Sudanese forces had intercepted two rebel convoys coming from Libya and South Sudan.

“We defeated them, destroying 59 military vehicles,” Bashir said. ”Unfortunately we captured Egyptian tanks and armors in the hands of the rebels,” he claimed.

Tension has grown between Sudan and Egypt in recent months.

Last month, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour accused Egypt’s UN representative of supporting calls to extend international sanctions -- in place since 2006 -- on Sudan, a claim denied by Cairo.

The accusations came after Sudan’s defense minister accused Egypt’s military of “provoking” the Sudanese army in the disputed Halaib Triangle area, located on the border between the two countries.

The Egyptian media, for its part, heavily criticized Bashir over his recent visit to Ethiopia, which is building a Nile dam Egypt fears would affect its Nile water share.

Last month, Cairo and Khartoum agreed to ease the diplomatic row that had soured relations between the two countries.

Darfur has been the scene of a ferocious war between the Sudanese government and three rebel movements since 2003. The conflict has left 300,000 people dead and around 2.5 million others displaced, according to UN figures.

The Sudanese government, however, insists that the death toll does not exceed 10,000 people.

Last Month, UN envoy to Libya Martin Kobler said Darfur rebel movements have in war-torn Libya, a claim vehemently denied by the rebels.