Spokesman for the Arab League (AL) Mahmoud Afifi said the AL welcomes the decision issued by the US Department of State to lift Washington's economic sanctions imposed on Sudan in 1997 and 2006.

The US administration said the decision comes in line with the positive measures taken by Sudan's government to cease hostilities in all conflict areas, improve the delivery of humanitarian aid as well as to cooperate with Washington to resolve regional conflicts and counter terrorism.

The US decision, to take effect as of October 12, satisfies the Arab League's repeated demands to lift all US sanctions against Sudan, Afifi said.

The AL spokesman clarified that these demands were made clear through the Arab body's relevant resolutions in addition to its cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union in order to empower Sudan to continue promoting peace and development.

Source: MENA