By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM, Sudan 

Sudan is protesting Libya ordering the closure of Sudan’s Consulate in the city of Kofra, in southeastern Libya, near where the two countries meet.

After accusing the consulate staff of involvement in actions that threaten national security, Libyan authorities gave Sudan’s diplomats 72 hours to leave the country.

In a press statement on Thursday, Sudan’s Foreign Ministry blasted the decision, denying that it had interfered in Libyan domestic issues.

"The Foreign Ministry has summoned Libyan Charge d'Affaires in Khartoum Ali Miftah Almahrogi to protest the false claims against our consulate in Kofra,’’ the statement said.

The diplomatic row began on Wednesday when the Libyan government headed by Abdullah al-Thinni ordered the closure of the Sudanese Consulate.

The interim Libyan government in Tobrok has repeatedly accused Khartoum of supporting some Libyan militias.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese government has claimed that the Tobrok government is harboring Darfurian rebels.