Southern Sudan does not plan to establish relations with Israel

Last August I linked to an interview in Asharq al-Awsat with the representative of Southern Sudan in the US, saying he saw no reason not to establish diplomatic relations with Israel if the state is established next month in a referendum.

Today's Asharq al-Awsat quotes the minister of information for the possible state as saying, unequivocally, that the state would not establish diplomatic relations with Israel if and when it is established.

Sudan's Christians are concentrated in the south and many are spearheading the efforts for independence.