Al-Bashir: Washington prepares to attack Sudan

Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir has accused Washington of preparing to attack Sudan in order to topple his government.

He was quoted by the Sudanese dailies on Monday as saying that the US accusations that Khartoum violates human rights, sponsors terrorism and practices slavery aim at "preparing the regional and international public opinion for a military strike against Sudan," adding, "US threats will not frighten us."

He did not expect improvement in the relations "with the US, controlled by Zionists."

Meanwhile, al-Bashir, who was talking on Sunday night in Kurdufan in the center of the country, welcomed the Libyan initiative to maintain national reconciliation in Sudan between the government and the opposition.

He said, "A national conference for dialogue will be held shortly and will include the government, the opposition and Sudanese political forces, including the registered parties, the societies and the trade unions." He stressed that he accepts the convening of the conference "in any place," though he "prefers it to be held in Khartoum."