Sudan expells Chadian charge d''affaires, other diplomats

News Article by KUNA posted on May 13, 2008 at 10:08:09: EST (-5 GMT)

Sudan expells Chadian charge d''affaires, other diplomats KHARTOUM, May 13 (KUNA) -- The Sudanese foreign ministry summoned on Tuesday the Chadian Charge D'affaires and informed him of the Khartoum government's decision to leave the country in one week time. The move came two days after Sudanese President Omer al-Bashir severed diplomatic ties with Chad, alleging Chad's involvement in attacks by rebels on Khartoum. According to a foreign ministry statement, "the Chadian charge d'affaires and all the staff members of the Chadian embassy were asked to leave the country within one week as of Tuesday." The foreign ministry expressed its readiness to provide all the facilitation for the Chadian diplomats to help them discharge their works in Sudan, asking the Chadian side to do the same for the Sudanese Embassy in Chad, the statement added. Al-Bashir announced on Sunday a severance of diplomatic ties with Chad, holding the latter responsible for an attack launched by Darfur rebels on the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Saturday. "Sudan holds Chad responsible for what had happened and reserve the right for responding," the Sudanese president said in an address to the people. But the Chadian government has denied any involvement in Saturday's attack. The Chadian government also closed the borders with Sudan fearing the latter's armed attack. Khartoum also has lodged a protest against Chad to the African Union Peace and Security Council, and will lodge another one to the United Nations Security Council.