Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has welcomed the US move to remove Sudan from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The United States formally rescinded Sudan's status as a state sponsor of terrorism on Monday, removing the biggest barrier to the African country's access to international lending institutions and economic development.

US President Donald Trump had announced in October that he was delisting Sudan, 27 years after Washington first put the country on its blacklist for harboring militants.

In a statement on its official Twitter handle, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “We welcome the announcement of the US administration to officially lift Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. This is a matter that the Kingdom has always aspired to, and exerted its efforts to support the Sudanese brothers to achieve it.”

Lauding the US decision, the ministry said: “It is an important turning point in the history of Sudan, and the basis for supporting its stability, the recovery of its economy and the prosperity of its people that will bring Sudan to its rightful place among the Arab, regional and international community.”

“The Government of the Kingdom values the efforts led by US President Donald Trump that led to this achievement. We call upon our allies and friends, financial and international institutions to respond to Sudan's urgent needs, and to begin the process of forgiving their loans,” the statement read.

The statement added: “The Kingdom, based on its brotherly and historic ties to Sudan, affirms it will continue to provide all possible means of support to ensure Sudan's security and development, and to achieve prosperity for its brotherly people.