In a press conference broadcast on television in Moscow, Sudanese foreign minister Ali Yusef Sharif announced that an agreement had been reached to create a Russian Naval Base in Sudan.

There are no obstacles, we are in total agreement. Sharif told reporters after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow that the question was easy, and there were no obstacles.

He didn't provide any more details about the plan. It has been discussed since years ago, when a deal under former president Omar al-Bashir was signed. The generals that overthrew him said the plan was being reviewed and no base materialised.

Russia has developed ties with both sides of Sudan's civil war that has lasted almost two years. Russian officials visited Port Sudan, the wartime capital for the army in recent months.

A top Sudanese General said last year that Russia asked for a fuel station at the Red Sea as a trade for arms and ammunition.

A station of this kind would be advantageous to Russia, especially after the fall and subsequent questioning of key bases in Syria following the Assad regime.

(Written by Nafisa Eltahir; edited by Sandra Maler) The conflict in Sudan has attracted multiple competing regional and international influences in part because of its extensive Red Sea coastline as well as its gold resources. (Writing by Nafisa Eltahir; Editing by Sandra Maler)

(source: Reuters)