Al-Turabi urges Sudanese opposition to return home

Sudanese Islamic leader Hassan al-Turabi has urged the Sudanese opposition groups in exile to return to their homeland and assured them that there is no need for their fears, "thanks to the new constitution."

Al-Turabi's statements were published in the Sudanese daily Akhbar al-Youm on Wednesday.

Al-Turabi added, "I find that there is no need for the opposition to stay abroad after the new constitution has become effective. They (the opposition) have the right to return to Khartoum to take part in policy-making in the country."

Al-Turabi added that, "The Sudanese do not need guarantees to return to the country. If I were in their place I would take a plane immediately and head for Khartoum."

Al-Turabi pledged that, "If they (the opposition groups) will come back they will be warmly welcomed and I will meet them at the airport and visit them in their houses." Al-Turabi added that he does not have any problem with the leader of the Ummah party and former prime minister who lives in exile, al-Sadeq al-Mahdi.