From the International Desk
Published 3/26/2003 1:42 PM

KHARTOUM, Sudan, March 26 (UPI) -- Sudanese authorities said Wednesday that two students were killed and 100 policemen were injured, three seriously, in pro-Iraq protests in the capital, Khartoum.

An official statement accused unnamed parties of intentionally exploiting pro-Iraqi demonstrations in the capital, Khartoum, to achieve political agendas, saying that riots had led to casualties, injuries and destruction of public and private property.

The statement said the authorities did not prevent the people from expressing their feelings "in a civilized way in support of Iraq."

It accused some "elements, especially students and those behind them," of "exploiting the rallies for their own political agenda, taking the shape of violence, riots and destruction of property."

The government, which also said some protesters had "manufactured unjustified clashes with the authorities," added that seven private-owned cars were destroyed by rocks, hurting more than 100 policemen, 3 of them seriously. Demonstrators burned university property, blocking traffic."

The statement did not mention how many demonstrators were injured.

The authorities denounced "this unjustified behavior," and warned they would "deal firmly to stop this devious conduct...."

The statement said it was keen on allowing society to express their views "in a civilized manner and on condition they are organized by receiving permission from the concerned authorities" to hold demonstrations.

A second student died Tuesday at Sudan University for Science and Technology during an anti-war protest.

Interior Minister General Abdul Rahim Hussein denied that the first student who died at al-Nilain (Two Niles) University on Saturday was killed by riot police. He said he was struck by a bullet and that the police did not carry weapons.

Officials said an investigation was launched into the death of the students.

Meanwhile, security was beefed up with riot police taking up positions around the U.S. embassy in the western district of Khartoum, and cordoned off all roads leading to the embassy.