Sudan gov't expels two int'l aid officials

The Sudanese government on Thursday expelled two female officials of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) working in Darfur, saying they performed activities violating the nature of humanitarian work and the agreement signed between the organization and the Sudanese government.

"Two IOM female officials have been expelled for performing activities violating the nature of humanitarian work and the agreement signed between the organization and Sudan government," Muawiya Osman Khalid, spokesman of Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Xinhua.

"The two officials have been given 72 hours to leave the country, to begin as of the time they were informed with the decision yesterday (Wednesday)," he added.

The two expelled IOM female officials are Italian Laura Palatini, head of IOM Office in South Darfur State, and Spanish Carla Martinez, head of IOM Office in West Darfur State.

On March 2009, the Sudanese government expelled 13 foreign organizations following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

118 foreign organizations are operating in Darfur, where Khartoum has repeatedly complained that some of those organizations perform activities that harm Sudan's national security.

Source：Xinhua