United Nations set to lift sanctions against Sudan

The United Nations is likely to lift its sanctions against Sudan later today after the United States dropped its opposition to…

The United Nations is likely to lift its sanctions against Sudan later today after the United States dropped its opposition to the proposal.

UN sanctions against Sudan were imposed in 1996 to force the Khartoum government to hand over suspects in an assassination attempt against Egyptian President Mr Hosni Mubarak.

The UN Security Council delayed a meeting on September 17th in which an end to sanctions on the movement of diplomatic personnel was expected to be announced because of the attacks on the US.

According to diplomatic sources, the US appears to have softened its view that Sudan is supporting terrorism and may abstain in the vote but is not expected to use its veto to block a resolution on the embargoes.

READ MORE

The UN sanctions are separate from broader ones imposed unilaterally by the United States that which remain.

Earlier this week, US State Department spokesman Mr Richard Boucher said talks between the US and Sudan over the past year have been making progress.

"Since the bombings, we have seen statements from Sudan that are positive and offered sympathy and support," he said, following reports Sudan was rounding up "extremists".