Sudanese president rebels as deadly protests continue

Security forces fired tear gas at protesters in Sudan as protests against President Omar al-Bashir enter their second month.

President Bashir reiterated on Sunday that foreign "agents" and rebels from the Darfur region were fomenting dissent.

According to officials, 26 people died during the protests, but human rights groups say more than 40 have been killed.

Protests against Sudan's economic problems began in December but turned into anger over Mr. Bashir's 30-year reign.

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In a speech delivered Sunday south of the capital, the president accused the "infiltrators" of being responsible for these murders.

"There are people among the demonstrators who kill the protesters," he said.

Hundreds of protesters tried to march Sunday in front of the parliament in the twin city of Khartoum, Omdurman.

They sought to petition President Bachir to resign and chanted "Freedom, Peace and Justice" – the movement's main slogan – and "Reversal, Reversal" as they walked.

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But the police fired tear gas to stop their progress and chased the protesters.

According to the Reuters news agency, about 30 vehicles carrying uniformed and plainclothes security personnel have descended into the area.

Demonstrations have also been reported in Burri and Bahari districts of Khartoum, respectively to the east and north of the capital.

A doctor was killed during clashes in Burri on Friday.

According to reports, a child was also killed, but the organizers apologized Sunday for what they called a "false report".

Activists say government forces fired live ammunition and arrested suspects.

Sarah Jackson, deputy director of Amnesty International's human rights group for East Africa, has accused security forces of "murder without a brake" in a press release.