Putrajaya seeks Sudan’s permission to fly out stranded Malaysians

 

Foreign nationals have begun evacuating Sudan, where fighting between rival generals has left hundreds of civilians dead. (AP pic)

PETALING JAYA: Putrajaya has requested permission to land in Sudan to evacuate 32 Malaysians stranded by fighting between rival military forces in the country.

Foreign minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said the government is also considering other options to evacuate them, Sinar Harian reported.

“We are dealing with this issue through the diplomatic channels of various countries,” he said, while efforts continue with negotiations with all sides of the conflict to allow evacuations.

Foreign news reports said Sudan has extended the closure of its airspace until April 30.

Zambry said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Wisma Putra were trying to get in touch with the parties in Sudan in order to find ways to evacuate Malaysians out of the conflict zone.

Foreign nationals are reported to have begun evacuating from a Red Sea port, as air strikes again rocked Khartoum. A week of fighting has killed hundreds of civilians across the nation.

The army and the rival Rapid Support Forces have so far failed to observe ceasefires agreed almost daily since hostilities broke out on April 15. - FMT