Sudanese forces withdrew for the rebels; Khartoum accuses Eritrea

The Sudanese authorities announced that army units positioned in Hamshkourib area near Kasla ( east) were forced to withdraw because of an "intensive attack" launched by the opposition. Sudan reiterated its accusation against Eritrea of providing "great support and backing" for the attackers; a matter which threatens negotiations between Khartoum and the rebels that were decided to be resumed next Monday.

In a statement issued by the general command of the Sudanese armed forces, the Sudanese news agency said that following the "simultaneously attack against all armed forces positions in the Eastern borders, the enemy had directed most of its efforts of forces and weapons against our forces in Hamshkourib, combined by the great Eritrean support." The statement added "the government forces challenged the attack against the region in fierce and continued fighting on Saturday and after that were obliged to transfer to alternative positions in order to run its battle in preparations for the decisive battle for expelling the enemy from the area."

The Sudanese foreign minister Mustafa Ismael said on Saturday that "Eritrea decided to launch an aggression against Sudan, and that the Sudanese government has to repulse it politically, diplomatically and militarily." However, Eritrea denied these accusations and announced its readiness to receive a committee for investigation.

The Libyan official news agency quoted Eritrea's President Asyas Afourki as saying in a telephone call with Libyan leader that "this information is not correct and Eritrea has no links to what had happened in Sudan." In November 2000, groups of Sudanese opposition sneaked from Eritrea to the city of Kasla where they fought the Sudanese army before they had pulled back.

On Saturday, the Sudanese al- Anbaa daily said the authorities closed the borders with Eritrea in Kasla province, but Asmara denied that.