Libya and Sudan leaders end 'terror' row

Abdullah al-Tahani, the prime minister of Libya's internationally recognised government, arrived in Khartoum on Monday, a month after accusing the country of arming "terror groups" on its territory.

Within Libya, Tahani has been confined to the eastern city of Tobruk because of insecurity in the country, particularly in the capital, Tripoli, where a rival administration has been established.

Tahani's government accused Sudan of sending an aircraft carrying ammunition to the southern Kufra region, bound for armed groups who seized control of Tripoli in August.

Sudan refuted the accusations, saying it had "no interest" in intervening in Libya's affairs.

The Libyan leader's visit is due to last three days, during which he is to meet Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and other top government figures, according to Sudan's foreign minister.

The visit will "clarify the truth of the Sudanese government's position towards the elected Libyan government", Foreign Minister Ali Karti told reporters upon Tahani's arrival.

Karti also said there had been "incorrect information" about the planeload of weapons allegedly sent to Libya.

Sudan has been working to strengthen its regional ties, with Bashir visiting regional powers Saudi Arabia and Egypt in October.

A US embargo imposed in 1997 has crippled Sudan's economy, and on Saturday Bashir vowed to end the country's isolation.

He said his recent visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia proved Sudan's ties in the region were improving.

The US imposed further measures on Sudan in 2007 over violence in Darfur. Bashir, who will stand for re-election in 2015, is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in the war-torn western region.