Netanyahu, Sudanese leader agree to start normalizing ties

Jerusalem, Feb 4 (IANS) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's sovereign council, agreed on taking initial steps to "normalize" relations.The meeting between the Israeli and Sudanese sides, which do not have official diplomatic relations, took place as part of Netanyahu's one-day trip to Entebbe, Uganda, Xinhua news agency reported.According to a statement by Netanyahu's office, the meeting was held upon an invitation by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.Netanyahu and Burhan agreed "to start cooperation leading to normalized relations between the two countries," the statement read.The Israeli prime minister said Burhan is "eager" to end the isolation of his country and wishes to "modernize" it.On Sunday, the US State Department said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had a phone call with Burhan and invited him to visit Washington.
--IANS rt/