South Sudan rolls out red carpet for Bashir

JUBA, Sudan – Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir arrived to a red-carpet welcome at Juba airport on Tuesday, on a rare trip to the south just five days before it votes in a referendum on independence.

Bashir was greeted on his arrival by southern leader Salva Kiir, senior southern politicians and a guard of honour from the combined armed forces of north and south Sudan.Hundreds of well-wishers gathered outside the airport, while a heavy security presence was deployed in Juba, where armed soldiers were seen patrolling the streets.The Sudanese president last week pledged to help build a secure, stable and ‘brotherly’ state in the south if it votes for independence, in a speech delivered in northern Gezira state. – AFP