Pompeo Notifies Hamdok of Progress on Removing Sudan from Terror List

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok attends a ceremony for new civilian governors. EPA file photo
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok attends a ceremony for new civilian governors. EPA file photo
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Pompeo Notifies Hamdok of Progress on Removing Sudan from Terror List

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok attends a ceremony for new civilian governors. EPA file photo
Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok attends a ceremony for new civilian governors. EPA file photo

Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok received a telephone call on Thursday from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during which they reviewed lifting Sudan from the US list of states sponsoring terrorism.

"We are looking forward to the continued support of the US administration to Sudan's transitional government," said Hamdok on his Twitter account.

Hamdok also received a phone call from Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in which they discussed several matters, according to a statement by the Friends of Sudan meeting that will be sponsored and hosted by Saudi Arabia on Aug 12.

The phone conversation tackled cooperation to maintain the security of the Red Sea, and develop bilateral investments. They both discussed the importance of activating the Saudi-Sudanese Joint Committee and pushing towards the success of the transitional period.

On Saturday, Sudan's government welcomed remarks from Pompeo that he would like to remove Sudan from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The US designated Sudan a state sponsor of terror in 1993 over ousted President Omar al-Bashir’s ties with terrorist groups.

The Sudanese government often reiterates its commitment to holding talks with the US administration in order to end Sudan’s isolation.

Last week, the US Department of State expressed before Congress the support to a democratic transition in Sudan.

Earlier, the Sudanese government agreed to compensate victims’ families of the USS Cole Bombing in 2000 and the explosions at the US embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998.



Lebanese President Tells US National Security Adviser Israel Must Fully Withdraw

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
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Lebanese President Tells US National Security Adviser Israel Must Fully Withdraw

Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo
Israeli soldiers stand near to a tank near Israel's border with Lebanon in northern Israel, October 16, 2023. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner/File Photo

In a phone call with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on Wednesday, Lebanon’s president insisted that Israeli forces withdraw from five strategic hilltops inside Lebanon.

Israel is keeping its forces on Lebanese soil even after a deadline spelled out in a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the latest Israel-Hezbollah war.

President Joseph Aoun told Waltz that a full Israeli pullout from the five border hilltops would increase stability in the country’s south.

The statement from Aoun’s office also said he asked the Trump administration to help speed up the release of Lebanese prisoners held in Israel.

Israeli troops withdrew on Tuesday from most of south Lebanon, but Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel would temporarily remain in five points needed for its security.

The Lebanese presidency said that Lebanon would consider any remaining Israeli presence on Lebanese land an occupation.

Israel had been due to withdraw by January 26, but this was extended to February 18 after it accused Lebanon of failing to enforce the terms. Lebanon at the time accused Israel of delaying its withdrawal.