Middle East reacts to Sudan military coup

By Ali Abo Rezeg

ANKARA (AA) – Middle Eastern countries have reacted to Thursday’s military coup in Sudan by calling on the country’s ruling Transitional Military Council to adopt dialogue and peaceful means to ensure a smooth transition of power.

On Thursday, the army announced the “removal” of al-Bashir, who has ruled Sudan since 1989, following months of popular demonstrations against his rule.

It also announced the imposition of a two-year "transitional phase" to be overseen by the military council; the suspension of Sudan’s 2005 constitution; and the dissolution of the country’s presidency, parliament and council of ministers.

Sudanese opposition parties and professional unions, for their part, have voiced their "total rejection" of what they describe as a "military coup".

- Regional capitals react

Egypt responded to the news by urging the international community to support the Sudanese people’s desire for a peaceful transition of power.

In a statement, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry voiced confidence “in the ability of our Sudanese brothers and their loyal national army to pass through this critical stage”.

While Saudi Arabia has yet to issue comment on events in Sudan, Saudi airline companies have suspended all flights to and from the country.

Qatar, for its part, urged Sudanese political actors “to uphold the nation’s supreme interests with a view to realizing the Sudanese people’s demand for freedom and justice”.

In a statement, Doha called for the adoption of “peaceful means and constructive dialogue as a means of managing the political process” in Sudan.

It further called on regional and international actors to “support Sudan’s unity and cohesion”.

Tunisia’s Foreign Ministry also voiced hope for a peaceful transition of power “that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Sudanese people for freedom, democracy and development”.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, likewise affirmed the importance of maintaining security and stability in Sudan with a view to “meeting the aspirations of the brotherly Sudanese people”.

Mauritanian Culture Minister Sidi Mohamed Ould Mahm, for his part, said his country sympathized with the Sudanese people’s aspirations, but viewed developments in that country as an “internal affair”.

“The Sudanese people are capable of overcoming their crisis through dialogue,” Ould Maham told reporters in Nouakchott on Thursday.

Bahrain, too, has said it was following developments in Sudan with "great interest" and was looking forward to seeing the Sudanese people overcome the current “critical stage”.

In a statement carried by Bahrain’s official news agency, Manamah also stressed its continued support for Sudan’s “sovereignty, security and stability”.

Iran, meanwhile, urged all parties in Sudan to “work towards the realization of their demands through negotiation and dialogue”.

In a statement, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasimi stressed that Iran’s foreign policy was based on “non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs”.

Qasimi went on to voice Tehran’s hope that stability in Sudan would “soon be restored”.