Sudan lifts embargo imposed on humanitarian aid to its South

The "Life Line Sudan" operation on Thursday said the Sudanese government lifted its ban on air flights to southern Sudan, a matter which allows humanitarian organizations to head to Bahr al-Gazelle province.

Some 350,000 persons in Bahr al-Gazelle province are in need of urgent humanitarian aid, according to a statement released by the operation. which comprises UN organizations and nongovernmental organizations working in southern Sudan.

Sudan banned flights conveying humanitarian aid on February 4 with the eruption of fierce battles in Bahr al-Gazelle province between the government's forces and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army, which has been fighting against the government since 1983.

The ban was partially lifted three weeks earlier following mediation by the UNHCR special delegate for humanitarian aid in Sudan, Robert Van Shike. The embargo was eased once again in the middle of March when a number of sites allowed to be visited was increased to eight, Lebanon's al-Nahar reported.