Sudanese opposition arrested over 'coup'

Senior military and political leaders in Sudan have been arrested amid allegations of a coup plot. The National Security and Intelligence Service (NSIS) said on Thursday it had "frustrated an attempt to sabotage the country's security led by personalities in the opposition".

More than a dozen people, including Saleh Gosh, the former NSIS director, and other army and security commanders, were arrested. Ahmed Belal Osman, Sudan's information minister, accused them of "inciting chaos" and "targeting" state leaders.

President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup and has been indicted for war crimes in Darfur, has faced street demonstrations this year as 40% inflation pushes the price of staple foods beyond many families.

The protests have been violently quelled and opposition activists have reported being arrested and tortured. Opposition parties suggested that the coup could have been faked to divert attention from Bashir's domestic policy difficulties.