KHARTOUM, Sept 25: The Sudanese government imposed a security clampdown on Saturday after announcing that it had foiled a coup attempt the previous day by supporters of a former jailed ally, Hassan al Turabi , a claim derided by anti-government rebels.

Security forces set up road blocks at strategic locations in and around the capital and searched vehicles and people in an effort to round up suspects, including the alleged coup leader, Al Haj Adam Youssef, witnesses said.

A statement said "Islamists" led by Youssef, the party's communications secretary, had planned to execute the conspiracy in Khartoum following Friday prayers.

Nearly all those involved were arrested, except Youssef, the interior ministry said.

The state Sudan News Agency said two senior military officers and several soldiers were detained on suspicion of involvement.

Security forces also uncovered a large arms cache outside Khartoum before dawn on Saturday, the interior minister told state radio.

The cache found in the village of Um al Qura, 30 kilometres north of the capital, included 300 Kalashnikov rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and ammunition, the minister said.

However, Sudan's main rebel group swiftly accused Khartoum of lying about the alleged coup attempt in order to ward off foreign pressure over its failure to pacify the war-torn western region of Darfur.-AFP