SUDAN THREATENS TO BLOCK THE NILE

Thousands of Sudanese soldiers and militiamen took to the streets of Khartoum, saying they were ready to defend their border from attack by Egypt. Earlier, Sudan threatened to withhold water from the Nile, Egypt's life line, if Cairo sends troops to the disputed Halaib region claimed by both countries. Tensions have been escalating since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak accused Sudan's leader Hassan Turabi of planning last week's assasination attempt in Ethiopia. In response to Sudan's threats, an angry Mubarak warned that Egypt would confront "those who play with fire in Khartoum."