KHARTOUM, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Saturday said the U.S. lifting of some sanctions on Sudan is Sudan's natural right, not a reward, as Khartoum has not provided any concessions for it.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir described the U.S. decision as a "positive" development and reiterated that Sudan would press ahead with building natural ties with the United States.
During a meeting in Khartoum Saturday with the committee entrusted to have dialogue with the United States, al-Bashir said: "The sanctions lifting decision comes at a time when Sudan is completing the process of national dialogue and heading towards the formation of a national consensus government."
Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour, meanwhile, noted that "the government has not provided any concessions."
"The principle of counterterrorism is part of an international program and Sudan is committed to combating terrorism," said Ghandour.
Chief of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services Mohamed Atta al-Moula Abbas told reporters that "our religion and values necessitate us to combat terrorism and extremism."
"We used to complain about the U.S contradicting manner in its cooperation with the Sudanese bodies regarding combating terrorism and keeping Sudan on its list of countries harboring terrorism," he noted. ( On Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama decided to cancel two executive orders that impose economic sanctions on Sudan, citing recent "positive actions" by the Sudanese government.
The United States has had Sudan on its list of countries sponsoring terrorism since 1993 and has been imposing sanctions on Sudan since 1997.
Since then, Washington has been renewing its sanctions on Sudan due to the continuing war in Darfur, Blue Nile and South Kordofan regions besides a number of outstanding issues with South Sudan, including the disputed oil-rich area of Abyei.
According to economic reports, Sudan's losses due to the U.S. sanctions amounted to over 4 billion U.S. dollars annually.
