Sudan FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Improving Ties with Neighboring Countries

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.
TT

Sudan FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Improving Ties with Neighboring Countries

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.
Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Ali Youssef stressed his country’s keenness on improving and developing relations with neighboring countries.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said improving ties was “very important” and revealing that the future will witness intense diplomatic efforts to address disputes with neighbors in order to return relations back to normal.

“We are looking for allied countries that would stand by Sudan in confronting the problems and circumstances it is currently enduring,” he added.

Reconstructing the country will be among the challenges Sudan will face in the future, he went on to say. “Parties from the east and west must be part of this process, so it wouldn’t be wise for anyone to side with one alliance or camp,” he said.

“In my estimation, Sudan must not side with any alliance. This issue needs a position from the state before going ahead,” Youssef explained.

“I hope that no country is supporting the rebellion or supplying it with weapons. We hope countries will stand by Sudan and its people,” he urged.

The April 2023 war revealed that some countries have stood by Sudan and others stood against it, the FM added.

Moreover, he stressed that his ministry will focus its work on several paths to achieve peace and stability and draft a balanced foreign policy.

Meanwhile, the state news agency SUNA reported that US special envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello will visit the country on Monday.

He was set to arrive on Sunday, but technical arrangements forced its delay to Monday.

He is expected to visit Port Sudan, his first to the interim capital, where he will meet with several officials from the ruling sovereign council, Darfur region governor Minni Minnawi, FM Youssef and representatives of political and civilian forces.

Youssef had stressed last week Sudan’s keenness on maintaining dialogue with the new American administration to reach more understandings over Sudan.



Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
TT

Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world.

The UN health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more.

WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat.

Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah in the country two months ago.

The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday.