Khartoum - The US embassy in Sudan authorized the departure of its non-essential employees on Tuesday, fearing potential violence against Americans and Europeans, a message on the embassy's website said.

"Recent protests have adopted a sharp anti-western rhetoric," read the statement. Sudan's government had expelled numerous aid groups and government officials have publicly called humanitarian aid workers "spies."

Khartoum has withdrawn work permits and expelled at least 13 non- governmental organizations involved in aid operations in Darfur since the International Criminal Court
(ICC) last week issued an international arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The embassy urged citizens to leave Sudan in the event of emergency, given the unstable political and security environment and said it would try to help Americans leave. (dpa)