<p>US President Donald Trump on Friday formally moved to delist Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, a step long sought by the Arab nation which faces US pressure to normalize relations with Israel.</p>.<p>The White House said that Sudan's civilian-backed transitional government had deposited $335 million as part of an agreement to compensate survivors and family members of attacks that took place when former dictator Omar al-Bashir welcomed Al-Qaeda.</p>.<p>"Today represents a momentous step forward in the United States-Sudan bilateral relationship and marks a pivotal turning point for Sudan," a White House statement said.</p>.<p>The deal with Sudan allows "for a new future of collaboration and support for its ongoing and historic democratic transition," it said.</p>.<p>After Trump had announced his plan to delist Sudan on Monday through Twitter but before he took formal action, an Israeli delegation visited Sudan to discuss normalization.</p>.<p>Trump, who faces elections in little more than a week, has used his leverage over Sudan to press for recognition of Israel -- which would be another landmark step after announcements last month by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.</p>.<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope on Wednesday that Sudan would "promptly" recognize the Jewish state -- a major cause for Trump's evangelical Christian base.</p>.<p>The Gulf Arab states had long enjoyed quiet relations with Israel but a move by Sudan would be highly significant in light of the nation's history.</p>.<p>Sudan played a small part in Arab-Israeli wars and, after Israel's decisive victory in 1967, Khartoum was where the Arab League issued its famous "three no's" -- no peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel.</p>.<p>Sudan has been seeking for years to remove the designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which severely impedes investment as few foreign businesses want to risk the wrath of US prosecution.</p>.<p>With Trump's formal move, Congress has 45 days in which it can pass a resolution to object to the delisting.</p>.<p>Congress is not expected to block the delisting but it must also approve legislation to grant Sudan immunity from further claims.</p>.<p>Until then, the $335 million will be held in an escrow account.</p>.<p>The money includes compensation to survivors and family members of those killed in Al-Qaeda's twin attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.</p>
<p>US President Donald Trump on Friday formally moved to delist Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism, a step long sought by the Arab nation which faces US pressure to normalize relations with Israel.</p>.<p>The White House said that Sudan's civilian-backed transitional government had deposited $335 million as part of an agreement to compensate survivors and family members of attacks that took place when former dictator Omar al-Bashir welcomed Al-Qaeda.</p>.<p>"Today represents a momentous step forward in the United States-Sudan bilateral relationship and marks a pivotal turning point for Sudan," a White House statement said.</p>.<p>The deal with Sudan allows "for a new future of collaboration and support for its ongoing and historic democratic transition," it said.</p>.<p>After Trump had announced his plan to delist Sudan on Monday through Twitter but before he took formal action, an Israeli delegation visited Sudan to discuss normalization.</p>.<p>Trump, who faces elections in little more than a week, has used his leverage over Sudan to press for recognition of Israel -- which would be another landmark step after announcements last month by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.</p>.<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope on Wednesday that Sudan would "promptly" recognize the Jewish state -- a major cause for Trump's evangelical Christian base.</p>.<p>The Gulf Arab states had long enjoyed quiet relations with Israel but a move by Sudan would be highly significant in light of the nation's history.</p>.<p>Sudan played a small part in Arab-Israeli wars and, after Israel's decisive victory in 1967, Khartoum was where the Arab League issued its famous "three no's" -- no peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel.</p>.<p>Sudan has been seeking for years to remove the designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which severely impedes investment as few foreign businesses want to risk the wrath of US prosecution.</p>.<p>With Trump's formal move, Congress has 45 days in which it can pass a resolution to object to the delisting.</p>.<p>Congress is not expected to block the delisting but it must also approve legislation to grant Sudan immunity from further claims.</p>.<p>Until then, the $335 million will be held in an escrow account.</p>.<p>The money includes compensation to survivors and family members of those killed in Al-Qaeda's twin attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.</p>