Assured of Qatar's support, al-Bashir returns to Sudan

KHARTOUM (AA) – Qatar has voiced its continued support for crisis-hit Sudan, Sudanese Foreign Minister Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed said Wednesday.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Ahmed made the remarks at a press conference convened at Khartoum’s international airport following the return of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir from a two-day visit to Doha.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Ahmed told reporters that, while in Qatar, al-Bashir had discussed his country’s ongoing economic crisis — along with its suspected causes — with Qatari officials. </p> <p><br></p> <p>“Officials in Qatar assured President al-Bashir of their unwavering support for Sudan,” Ahmed said.</p> <p><br></p> <p>On Wednesday, al-Bashir wrapped up a two-day state visit to Doha during which he held talks with Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and other top Qatari officials.</p> <p><br></p> <p>It was al-Bashir’s first trip abroad since countrywide demonstrations erupted one month ago against his government’s seeming inability to remedy Sudan’s chronic economic woes.</p> <p><br></p> <p>According to government officials, more than 20 people have been killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces since the protests began in mid-December. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Opposition groups, however, put the death toll at closer to 40.</p> <p><br></p> <p>In power since 1989, al-Bashir has pledged to carry out urgent economic reforms amid ongoing calls by the opposition to continue demonstrating. </p> <p><br></p> <p>A nation of 40 million, Sudan has struggled to recover from the loss of some three quarters of its oil output — its main source of foreign currency — since the secession of South Sudan in 2011.