Bashir laments Israeli ties advice as unrest continues

Fresh anti-government protests have hit Sudan, with President Omar al-Bashir lamenting that he had been advised to normalize ties with the illegal Zionist entity in order to ensure stability in his country.

Protests have rocked cities across Sudan since December 19 when demonstrators took to the streets against a government decision to raise the price of bread.

On Friday, Sudanese police fired tear gas at protesters as they took to the streets after midday prayers to chant anti-government slogans in the capital's twin city of Omdurman. 

The protests came after Bashir was quoted talking of improved ties with Israel and the pledge that a normalization would help stabilize growing unrest sweeping Sudan.

The embattled president declined to specify who gave him the advice but said in a meeting with the religious leaders in the capital Khartoum that he believed “sustenance is in the hands of God.”

Sudan has forged close relations with Saudi Arabia in recent years, reportedly sending troops to Yemen to help the kingdom's invasion of the impoverished nation.  

Bashir's remarks come amid growing calls for his resignation in the wake of deadly demonstrations against rising prices and food and fuel shortages in the country over the past months. 

Amnesty International has said Sudan's security forces have shot dead at least 37 protesters during the anti-government rallies.

Sudan is also mired in economic woes, including an acute foreign currency shortage and soaring inflation, which is running at close to 70 percent. Authorities have declared curfews and a state of emergency in several states.

SS