Curfew imposed in Sudan

2008-05-10 18:37

Khartoum, Sudan - An overnight curfew has been imposed on Khartoum after Darfur rebels attacked a suburb of Sudan's capital on Saturday.

Sudan's army is deploying on the streets of Khartoum and a leader of a Darfur rebel group says hundreds of his fighters are on the city's outskirts, clashing with security forces.

An Associated Press reporter in Khartoum said security forces ordered residents to clear the streets on Saturday. Armoured vehicles and heavily armed security forces were patrolling the capital. Government forces closed bridges leading to Omdurman, Khartoum's twin city.

A leader of the Darfur rebel group Justice and Equality told the Associated Press by telephone from the outskirts of Omdurman that his fighters were clashing with security forces there.

Sudanese officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, confirmed clashes near Khartoum. - AP and Reuters

- AP