Sudan denied reports that it had allegedly granted a secret permission to use its airspace to western nations enforcing the no-fly zone in Libya, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry's official spokesman said on Saturday.
"Sudan received neither secret, not official request from the UN [to grant this permission]," the spokesman told RIA Novosti.
Sources at the United Nations told Reuters on Friday that Sudan had quietly permitted the western coalition to use its airspace for airstrikes on Libya. According to analysts, Khartoum did not make this permission official being aware of Libya's possible revenge on some 500,000 Sudanese nationals currently staying in the troubled North African country.
The Sudanese Foreign Ministry's spokesman also said Sudan's stand on Libya corresponds to the position of the Arab League, which supports the no-fly zone.
He also said that only two Arab countries, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, are currently involved in the military operation against Libya.
"Sudan makes decisions proceeding from its national interests," the spokesman added.
The UN Security Council imposed a no-fly zone over Libya on March 17, allowing "all necessary measures" to protect civilians from Muammar Gaddafi's attacks on rebel-held towns.
The operation to enforce the no-fly zone, codenamed Odyssey Dawn, is being conducted jointly by 13 states, including the United States, Britain and France.
Western warplanes have flown more than 300 sorties over the North African country and fired 162 Tomahawk missiles in the UN-mandated mission. Libyan state media outlets have reported that dozens of people have been killed by the airstrikes.
KHARTOUM, March 26 (RIA Novosti)
