Al-Watan: Syrian, Qatari efforts to release al-Turabi, hosting him

A high ranking official at the Sudanese Islamic movement has disclosed Syrian and Qatari efforts to release the leader of the Sudanese People's National Congress party Hassan al-Turabi during the current month and then to host him.

In statements issued on Monday by the Saudi daily al-Watan, the official said that there are foreign sides which interfered to release al-Turabi, foremost being the Syrian and the Qatari leaderships.

He added he did not rule out that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had asked the Sudanese Vice President Ali Othman to release al-Turabi during Othman's recent visit to Syria.

The paper, which did not disclose the identity of the Sudanese official, indicated that al-Turabi's health condition is deteriorating.