Sudan, Libya reiterate importance of securing joint border

Sudan and Libya on Monday reiterated importance of securing the joint border via the two countries' joint forces.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Monday received Abdul-Moniem Yousif Busafita, the Libyan envoy and adviser to the Chairman of Libya's House of Representative for African Affairs.

"I have reviewed with President al-Bashir bilateral ties and how to develop them further in the manner that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples," the Libyan envoy told reporters following the meeting.

"We have also discussed the situations on the joint borders and the importance of securing them via the joint forces of the two countries to secure the border against outlaws," he noted.

He said his visit to Sudan came as part of promoting the deeply-rooted bilateral ties.

Libya earlier accused Sudan of supporting the forces of Libya Dawn, which are fighting the Libyan government recognized by the international community.

Khartoum, however, denied those accusations, saying it stands neutrally between the Libyan rivals.

In November 2013, Sudan and Libya deployed joint forces to protect their joint border, prevent infiltration of illegal immigrants, combat terrorism and secure the commercial convoys.

The deployment of the joint forces came in accordance of a military protocol the two countries signed two years earlier.

However, in 2015 the Libyan government decided to withdraw its troops from the joint forces, saying there were other priorities for those forces. Endit