Off the wire
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, April 10  • Spotlight: Russia says able to curb market volatility following U.S. sanctions  • Indian president arrives in Zambia for state visit  • Sudan vows to stay in Arab alliance forces in Yemen  • Russia to propose UN resolution to investigate alleged Syrian chemical attack  • World record holder Kimetto ready for Vienna Marathone  • Roundup: Xi's speech wins high appreciation from world leaders at Boao  • 1st LD: Trump's homeland security adviser resigns: White House  • U.S. military parachute falls onto school ground in Tokyo  • UN chief calls for probe of alleged chemical attack in Syria  
You are here:  

1st LD-Writethru: Sudanese president orders release of all political prisoners

Xinhua,April 10, 2018 Adjust font size:

KHARTOUM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on Tuesday issued a decree to release all political detainees held in the country in response to appeals from political parties, official SUNA news agency reported.

The release of political detainees will enhance the spirit of national consensus, the report said.

It added that the move opens the door for participation of the political forces in consultations on national issues and for preparing the country's permanent constitution.

The State Minister for Presidency and Director of the President's offices, Hatim Hassan Bakhit, said the concerned authorities have put the president's decision to release the political detainees under immediate implementation.

The parties participating in the national dialogue in Sudan on Sunday appealed to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to release political detainees.

The Sudanese authorities have detained a great number of opposition leaders since last January, including the Political Secretary of the Communist Party and other party leaders over their call for protests against rise in prices of basic commodities following approval of the country's 2018 general budget. Enditem