US Congressional Delegation Visits Khartoum, Backs Transition

President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan meets a US delegation in Khartoum on Tuesday (SUNA)
President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan meets a US delegation in Khartoum on Tuesday (SUNA)
TT
20

US Congressional Delegation Visits Khartoum, Backs Transition

President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan meets a US delegation in Khartoum on Tuesday (SUNA)
President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan meets a US delegation in Khartoum on Tuesday (SUNA)

Two high-ranking US officials said on Tuesday their visit to Khartoum aims at expressing support for the transition in Sudan and to follow up on Washington’s decision to make another $700 million available until Sept 2022 for assistance to the country.

Senator Chris Van Hollen and Senator Christopher Coons, member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, arrived in Khartoum Monday on a two-day visit.

They met with President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and a number of ministers to discuss tension on the border between Sudan and Ethiopia and obstacles in the negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

“During talks with Hamdok, the US delegation expressed its deep concern over the tension on border issues between Sudan and Ethiopia and its repercussions on both countries,” Cabinet Affairs Minister Khalid Omer Yousif told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The US officials said Washington was willing to mediate in the dispute and contribute to reaching a peaceful agreement that meets the interests of all parties.

The minister said the senators also discussed US development aid to Sudan.

Following talks with the PM, he invited them to an Iftar, Yousif said.

The US delegation also discussed with the PM ways of boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.

Also on Tuesday, the delegation met with Burhan, who briefed them on Sudan’s vision to resolve differences on GERD through dialogue and on the border dispute with neighboring Ethiopia.

He also stressed the importance of allowing aid groups to provide services to Ethiopian refugees in eastern Sudan camps.

The two senators, which are expected to visit the camps on Wednesday, commended the role of the TSC President in leading the transition in Sudan.



Lebanon Warns Hamas against Acts That Harm Its Security

 Civil defense workers and Lebanese soldiers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Civil defense workers and Lebanese soldiers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
TT
20

Lebanon Warns Hamas against Acts That Harm Its Security

 Civil defense workers and Lebanese soldiers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Civil defense workers and Lebanese soldiers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)

Lebanon's top security body on Friday warned Hamas against using the country's territory for acts that undermine national security, after rocket fire towards Israel sparked retaliatory strikes.

The Higher Defense Council said it had recommended the government warn Hamas "against using Lebanese territory for any acts that undermine Lebanese national security".

The council headed by President Joseph Aoun added that "the utmost measures and necessary procedures will be taken to put a definitive end to any act that violates Lebanese sovereignty".

Last month, the Lebanese army arrested Lebanese and Palestinian individuals accused of firing rockets towards Israel on March 22 and March 28.

No group claimed responsibility for the attacks, with the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, which fought a war against Israel last year, denying any involvement.

A Lebanese security source told AFP security forces arrested three Hamas members.

The Palestinian group claimed responsibility for occasional attacks on Israel from Lebanon during the war.

In its statement, the council said Aoun stressed Lebanon must not be used as a launchpad for instability or be dragged into unnecessary wars.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said illegal weapons must be handed over and that Hamas and other factions must not "undermine security and national stability".

The council also said legal proceedings would begin early next week against those detained over the rocket fire.

Israel has continued to strike Lebanon despite a ceasefire agreed in November to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah that included a bombing campaign and ground incursion.

Under the deal, Hezbollah was to withdraw north of the Litani River and dismantle military sites to its south.

Israel was to pull out of southern Lebanon but has kept troops in five positions it calls "strategic".