Sudanese and Libyan troops patrol borders

Sudanese governor Dr Ibrahim al-Khedr has revealed that Sudanese and Libyan troops are starting to spread along the joint borders, in a bid to crackdown on criminal gangs. "Controlling the border is vital to curb the phenomena of arms smuggling and human trafficking, and its success requires a tight coordination between Egypt, Libya and Sudan," Khedr said. He told Arabstoday that on Sunday, the borders were not closed to commercial traffic between Sudan and Libya, adding that a Libyan delegation will arrive the northern state on Monday to strengthen relations in various fields, including investment opportunities. Khedr also announced the start of production in a number of agricultural investment projects, including a project of ??50 thousand acres by an Egyptian investor who has  begun to produce wheat and other crops. He said that the main road between Sudan and Egypt will be opened soon, emphasising his Government's keenness to activate trade with Egypt to serve the interests of the two brotherly countries. He revealed that more than 350,000 citizens in the northern state are mining in search for gold, and many of those inadvertently cross the Sudanese-Egyptian border, without knowing the legal consequences. He praised the Egyptian authorities for releasing such offenders, stressing that joint arrangements will be taken in the future to prevent similar Sudanese offences.