A non-governmental Sudanese organisation said Wednesday it will send two planes carrying food and medicine to sanctions-hit without seeking UN authorization, Khartoum (AFP)
Chairman of the Popular Organisation for Supporting the Iraqi People (POSIP), Fathi Khalil, told a press conference that delegates representing professional associations and trade unions would be on Thursday's flights.
Such non-commercial flights are not covered by the international sanctions on Iraq, he said.
"We will therefore not ask for a clearance from the UN sanctions committee and will only notify the UN office of our intention to fly those planes," Khalil added.
Sudan joins a long list of Arab countries which have sent relief planes to sanctions-hit Iraq since Baghdad reopened its international airport on August 17. France and Russia were the first to send flights.
Baghdad has been under international sanctions ever since it invaded Kuwait in August 1990, but the Security Council is divided over its interpretation of an air embargo.
Paris and Moscow, along with Beijing, say the sanctions do not cover private non-commercial flights. Washington and London, however, insist on authorization from the sanctions committee for all flights to Baghdad – (AFP)
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