Sudanese ambassador to the Arab League Alsadik Omar Abdullah speaks during an emergency meeting in Cairo on April 16, 2023 after fighting in Sudan raged for a second day in battles between rival generals who seized power in a 2021 coup. AFP
The meeting comes as fighting in the Sudanese capital raged into the early hours of Sunday after a day of deadly battles between the Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that left at least 56 civilians dead and nearly 600 wounded.
During the meeting, Sudan's Ambassador to the Arab League Sadiq Omar Abdallah accused the RSF of initiating the fighting "at 9am yesterday at the General Command of the Army," despite a scheduled meeting with President Burhan on the same day.
The Sudanese diplomat confirmed that "the army was able to inflict severe losses on the rebels."
He further explained that the Sudanese army had engaged with and were driving out the RSF in the capital city around the Radio and Television Building, the Republican Palace and Khartoum airport.
The ambassador noted that the paramilitary forces relied on the element of surprise, but the Sudanese Armed Forces remained vigilant.
However, he emphasised that "this is an internal Sudanese matter" and asked the Arab League to issue a statement in support of Sudan.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian representative to the Arab League and current meeting chair, Mohamed Mustafa Orfy, called on all Sudanese parties to "immediately cease fire", stressing the crucial importance of maintaining the safety and security of the Egyptian community in Sudan.
He reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to supporting Sudan's stability and security, and urged for collective efforts to de-escalate the situation.
The meeting is discussing ways to defuse the current crisis and work to restore stability to Sudan as soon as possible, according to a statement by Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Arab League Assistant Secretary General Hossam Zaki appealed to the two parties were issued through the media in order to reach the two sides for comment.
In earlier statement on Saturday, Egypt's foreign ministry called on all Sudanese parties to exercise maximum restraint to “protect the lives and capabilities of the brotherly Sudanese people, and uphold the supreme interests of their homeland.”
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