Sudan denies visas for US officials

Sudan said on Sunday it has denied entry visas for US officials in response to a similar American move, Sudan Tribune reported.

Earlier, Khartoum threatened that it would deal similarly with the US administration in response to Washington's denial of entry visas for Sudanese officials.

The Sudanese Embassy in Washington received visa applications from US officials to enter Sudan, and the embassy decided to deal similarly, Kamal Ismail, state minister at Sudan's foreign ministry, was quoted as saying.

The minister did not disclose the identities of the U.S. officials whom the embassy refused to issue visas, or the reasons why they applied for entry visas to Sudan.

Last week, Khartoum complained about the U.S. administration's refusal to issue an entry visa for a Sudanese government official, describing the U.S. stance as "unjust."

It said the U.S. refused to issue an entry visa to Sudanese Interior Minister Ismat Abdel Rahman to participate in meetings of the UN General Assembly on the global drugs problem.

In September 2013, the U.S. administration refused to issue an entry visa for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to attend the meetings of the UN General Assembly.

The Sudanese-U.S. ties have been characterized by continuing tensions as the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Sudan since 1997, declaring the country as a sponsor of terrorism.

Since then, Washington has been renewing its sanctions on Sudan due to the continuing war in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions.

Source: XINHUA