By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM

The Sudanese government on Wednesday decried a U.S. decision to delay the lifting of sanctions by three months.

"We regret this decision, which came after a long engagement and dialogue between us and the Americans," Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour told Anadolu Agency.

He said the American decision came despite Sudan's commitment to the five-track deal signed with Washington in January.

"All the American, European and African monitors admitted that Sudan has fully implemented the five-track agreement," the minister said.

The U.S. Department of State said Tuesday the decision to delay the lifting of sanctions aimed to give more time for implementing the five-track deal, which was signed between Khartoum and the former administration of Barack Obama, who temporarily lifted sanctions for six months in January.

The deal stipulates cooperation between Sudan and the U.S. in addressing regional conflicts and the threat of terrorism, cessation of hostilities in conflict areas in Sudan, improving humanitarian access throughout Sudan, the support of South Sudan's peace process and cooperation in combating Uganda's rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

Sudan is on the U.S. list of a state sponsor of terrorism since 1993.