Sudan, Saudi Arabia vow to cooperate on regional issues

Sudan and Saudi Arabia reiterated their commitment Monday to cooperate on regional issues, as well as to increase bilateral ties in all fields.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir received Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, who suddenly visited Khartoum Monday.

Al-Jubeir commended Sudan's stances and participation in the Desert Storm operation as part of the Saudi-led coalition attempting to restore hope in Yemen, elaborating that he reviewed with al-Bashir the Palestinian, Syrian, Yemeni, Somalian and Libyan situations.

"They were fruitful talks where our points of view were similar on all issues. We agreed to increase bilateral ties in all fields," al-Jubeir told reporters following his meeting with al-Bashir.

As for Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, he said al-Bashir has directed the foreign ministry to continue coordinating with Saudi's foreign ministry on all issues to further joint effort and organization.

On the other hand, the Sudanese minister refuted that the talks included the topic of military intervention in Syria, saying "this is a premature issue."

Ghandour, however, did not exclude the possibility that Sudan could participate in a military intervention in Syria if it is within the framework of the Saudi-led Arab and Islamic coalition fighting terrorism.

"Sudan is committed to the Saudi-led coalition and if decisions are taken by the coalition, then it might be possible, but so far the matter was not on the discussion agenda," he noted.

Sudan had previously said it did not support military intervention in Syria.

"Sudan's political option for peace in Syria will not affect its ties with Saudi Arabia," said Ghandour.

Sudan is participating with army troops in the Saudi-led "North Thunder" military exercise maneuvers at the King Khalid Military City in the North of Saudi Arabia.

The relationship between Khartoum and Riyadh has remarkably developed since Sudan joined the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen. Endit