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Sudan Allows EU Diplomat to Stay


Sudanese and European officials say a European diplomat ordered out of Sudan earlier this week will be allowed to finish the final weeks of his tenure.

On Thursday the European Union's top envoy to Sudan Kent Degerfelt and Canadian diplomat Nuala Lawlor were ordered out of the country for allegedly "meddling" in the country's affairs.

But a statement Saturday from the European Commission, the EU executive body, says that direct contact between European Commissioner Louis Michel and Sudanese President Omar Beshir brought about the decision.

President Beshir's spokesman, Mahjoub Fadul, told reports that Michel apologized to Mr. Beshir for the diplomat's actions.

There was no comment on the status of the Canadian envoy.

Canadian and European Commission officials say they were given no reason why their envoys were told they must leave the country.

A Sudanese state-run newspaper quoted a foreign ministry official who said the diplomats had been meeting with Sudanese opposition leaders.

Canadian officials say their diplomat was standing up for freedom and democracy in Sudan.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters..

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