Khartoum, Feb 28 (IANS) Sudan has decided to reopen its border crossings with Libya to facilitate the return of thousands of Sudanese nationals from the unrest-hit country.

The interior ministry took the decision Sunday, Xinhua reported.

On July 1, 2010, Sudan closed its borders with Libya to prevent rebels from crossing over from Libya. The borders have remained closed since then.

The Sudanese government has so far evacuated some 1,000 Sudanese nationals stranded at the Egyptian border area of al-Salum.

Around 400 of them have been transported to Egyptian cities near the border with Libya.

Meanwhile, Sudanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Ali Karti said Sunday his ministry was following the developments through its embassy in Tripoli, the capital of Libya, and the consulates in Benghazi and al-Kufrah, to evacuate Sudanese nationals.

Around 500,000 Sudanese live in various Libya.