New peace effort for Sudan

Rebels have been fighting for autonomy since 1983

Egypt's Foreign Minister, Amr Moussa, is due to arrive in Sudan on Monday in a further effort to end the country's 17-year civil war.

During his two-day visit to Khartoum, Mr Moussa is expected to meet President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, as well as Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail.

Mr Turabi warns there could be violence nationwide

Egyptian officials said the talks would focus on reactivating the Cairo-Tripoli peace initiative for Sudan, as well as the crisis in the Middle East.

The joint plan was discussed by the Sudanese and Libyan foreign ministers last week in Tripoli.

The 1999 Egyptian-Libyan peace initiative is one of several attempts by African leaders to end Sudan's internal conflict, in which some two million people, mostly civilians, have been killed.

'Risk of revolt'

Rebels from the mainly Christian and animist south of Sudan have been fighting for autonomy from the mainly Muslim north since 1983.

But as the president prepares to explore options for peace, the Sudanese opposition leader, Hassan al-Turabi, warned that Mr Bashir could soon face a popular revolt.

In an interview with Reuters news agency, Mr Turabi accused his former ally of recklessly concentrating power in his own hands and extending the state of emergency for another year.

Mr Turabi said President Bashir had alienated political parties and southerners who had tried to work with the government.

"If trouble erupts, it's going to be nationwide. The risk is there and the arms are easy to find," he said.

Mr Bashir was re-elected last month in general elections, which were boycotted by the major opposition parties.