Sudan's police step up efforts in Khartoum

The Sudanese police stepped up security measures in the capital city around the University of Khartoum and some neighborhoods, following fierce protests over the past few days. The government confirmed in an emergency meeting Monday that it has been monitoring troublemakers who have been inciting riots and promised to deal with them according to the law.   The press office of the ministry of interior said in a written statement that the measures stressed the readiness of the police to secure and protect the lives and property of citizens. The meeting, which was chaired by Director General of Police Gen. Hashim Osman Hussein, reviewed the police efforts to limit the recent events and secure the strategic and vital sites, markets and places where citizens gather and their success in securing the safety of citizens. The meeting heard statements provided by Khartoum police on recent events and called on communities and neighbourhoods to help maintain stability The meeting also praised the plan of Khartoum police, which had professionally and efficiently quelled the riots and vandalism without losses or injuries.   The Sudanese website El Shorouk stated that the police intervened to disperse crowds of protesters using tear gas after the party's headquarters was exposed to attacks from a group of demonstrators. In the meantime, the leader of the ruling party, Mostafa Osman Ismail, described the situation as the efforts of opposition forces to try and exploit the current economic situation in order to overthrow the regime. He declared that the reform programme, which was approved by parliament, will work to overcome the economic crisis, calling for national unity to overcome the challenges facing the country.