Burhan’s Deputy in Moscow to Ask for Help in Ending the War

People flee as smoke billows on the first day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday in Wad Hamid, about 100 kilometers north of Sudan's capital, on June 28, 2023. (AFP)
People flee as smoke billows on the first day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday in Wad Hamid, about 100 kilometers north of Sudan's capital, on June 28, 2023. (AFP)
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Burhan’s Deputy in Moscow to Ask for Help in Ending the War

People flee as smoke billows on the first day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday in Wad Hamid, about 100 kilometers north of Sudan's capital, on June 28, 2023. (AFP)
People flee as smoke billows on the first day of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday in Wad Hamid, about 100 kilometers north of Sudan's capital, on June 28, 2023. (AFP)

Deputy head of the Sudanese transitional council Malek Akar was in Moscow to ask for help to end the war in his country.

He met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday.

Akar explained to the minister the root of the problem in Sudan, reported Russia’s Sputnik news agency.

They also discussed bilateral relations between their countries.

Lavrov said he hopes Russia would be able to use its connections with all concerned parties to resolve the conflict in Sudan.

Akar revealed that head of the transitional council, army commander Abdul Fattah al-Burhan will attend the Russian-African summit that will be hosted by St. Petersburg in late July.

War erupted between the army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in mid-April. It has caused a major humanitarian crisis and displaced nearly 2.8 million people, of which almost 650,000 have fled to neighboring countries.

The three cities that make up the wider capital around the confluence of the River Nile - Khartoum, Bahri and Omdurman - have seen more than 10 weeks of heavy clashes and looting, while the conflict has triggered a resurgence of ethnically motivated killings in the western region of Darfur.

Multiple ceasefire deals have failed to stick, including several brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States at talks in Jeddah that were suspended last week.



Al-Mashhadani Emphasizes Strengthening Iraqi-Saudi Relations

Al-Mashhadani during his meeting with the Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad (Iraqi Parliament)
Al-Mashhadani during his meeting with the Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad (Iraqi Parliament)
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Al-Mashhadani Emphasizes Strengthening Iraqi-Saudi Relations

Al-Mashhadani during his meeting with the Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad (Iraqi Parliament)
Al-Mashhadani during his meeting with the Saudi Ambassador in Baghdad (Iraqi Parliament)

Iraqi Parliament Speaker Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani has called for prioritizing stronger ties with Saudi Arabia, citing shared regional interests and the potential for positive outcomes.
During a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Shammari, Al-Mashhadani highlighted the importance of Iraqi-Saudi cooperation, particularly in addressing regional challenges. The meeting explored ways to enhance bilateral relations in economic and political spheres while discussing major Arab issues, including the Gaza war, Lebanon’s instability, and changes in Syria.
This comes after Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week in AlUla to address the challenges of the Syrian crisis, regional security, and stability. The summit focused on aligning efforts to tackle broader geopolitical issues and fostering cooperation.
As part of Iraq’s deepening engagement with Gulf countries, Baghdad recently signed numerous agreements with Saudi Arabia through the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council. Additionally, Iraq signed two memoranda of understanding with Oman, covering political consultations, economic collaboration, and transportation.
Sudani also received Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who delivered an invitation from Sultan Haitham bin Tariq to visit Oman. Discussions emphasized on enhancing bilateral economic and trade ties, particularly in oil derivatives. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of stability in Syria and the need to preserve its sovereignty and diversity while supporting its people.
In a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Albusaidi underscored the strong cultural and fraternal ties between Iraq and Oman. He noted opportunities for collaboration in tourism, energy, trade, and finance, while underlining his country’s commitment to participate in the Baghdad International Trade Fair in February 2024.
For his part, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein highlighted efforts to abolish visa requirements between Iraq and Oman, expressed hope for inclusive political progress in Syria, and pointed to Iraq’s commitment to further agreements that strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors.