Tribal group lifts blockade of Sudan's main port one week after coup

FILE PHOTO: A worker makes fishnets in Port Sudan at Red Sea State February 24, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - A tribal group announced on Monday it would temporarily lift a six-week blockade on Sudan's main seaport, a week after the military took power in a coup.

Opponents of last week's military takeover had accused the army of engineering the blockade of Port Sudan to put pressure on civilian leaders and ultimately justify plans to end civilian rule. The army has denied being behind the blockade and declined to get involved, saying it was based on legitimate demands.