The forces, as well as customs and tax officials, took part in "a siege and inspection" raid of Libya and Abuzaid markets outside Omdurman, immediately northwest of Khartoum, police said in a statement quoted by the official press.

The statement quoted Police Rescue and Operations Commander Major General Abdel Basit Saad Jubarah as saying more operations against "selected targets" would be staged.

"The operation was a routine task for checking the security measures and coordination among the various regular forces" which include the army, police and security forces, Jubarah was quoted as saying.

"The project resulted in seizing quantities of light weapons and ammunition," Jubarah said. "Lawsuits have immediately been filed against persons apprehended with those weapons and ammunition in their possession."

The police told AFP the seized weapons consisted of rifles and pistols but were reluctant to say how many. They also would not specify how much ammunition was seized or how many dealers were arrested.

A police officer told AFP the two markets were widely known for illicit trading in weapons usually smuggled from Libya.

Many Sudanese buy rifles and pistols to defend themselves against thieves.

WAR.WIRE