Sudan summons British envoy over Darfur remarks

The Sudanese Foreign Ministry summoned Thursday British Ambassador in Khartoum Michael Aron in a protest at his remarks over the situation in Darfur.

The ministry told Aron that his statements about the conditions in Darfur and the forgiveness of Sudan's foreign debts contained inaccurate information, Ministry Undersecretary Abdel Ghani Naeem said.

The ministry considered such remarks a prejudice that do not serve the interest of the two countries.

The British diplomat apologized, saying he never intended to harm relations between Britain and Sudan.

In his statements to a Sudanese newspaper, Aron, who assumed office on August 19, said no foreign official can be allowed a visit to Darfur unless after taking a permission from the Sudanese authorities and this means they have no confidence in security conditions there.

He further said that Sudan's foreign debts cannot be forgiven while 70 percent of the state budget is being spent on security and military action and not on health and education services.

Source: MENA