Sudanese president hails Obama's decision on partial curbs' lift

KHARTOUM, Jan 14 (KUNA) -- Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir on Saturday lauded as a positive step Washington's decision to lift partially the 20-year-old economic sanctions on the nation.
The Sudanese president, during a meeting of a panel charged with dialogue with the United States, expressed determination to establish normal relations with the US, according to the local official media.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour said at a news conference that president advised the committee members to continue the dialogue with Washington to erase Sudan off the list of states that support terrorism.
Ghandoor added that the decision by US Presidential Barack Obama to lift the curbs in part came as an outcome of six months of negotiations between Washington and Khartoum, expressing hope that the coming administration of Donald Trump would honor "what has been agreed upon with Obama's administration." He disclosed that Sudanese and American officials had held up to 23 closed-door meetings in Khartoum, discussing a host of issues namely combating terrorism, backing peace process in South Sudan and humanitarian issues.
Obama on Friday ordered partial lift of the commercial and economic sanctions on Sudan that had been enforced since 20 years ago. (end) hha.rk