Coup attempt disrupted, Sudanese government says By Isma'il Kushkush, for CNN November 22, 2012 -- Updated 1705 GMT (0105 HKT) (File photo) Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir gestures as he arrives at Khartoum airport on November 14, 2012. "A plan of sabotage" sought to destabilize Sudan, the minister of information says Thirteen people were arrested, he says, including a former intelligence chief Current members of the army and security agency were not involved in the plot, he says Khartoum, Sudan (CNN) -- Sudanese authorities disrupted a plot "to create chaos, target leaders of the country and destabilize the county," in what appeared to be an attempted coup d'etat, Sudan's minister of information told reporters Thursday. "The act was planned for last Thursday, then was postponed to this Thursday," Ahmad Bilal Osman said. The government's goal was "to have it aborted before it began, and that happened." Read more: Sudan and South Sudan sign partial agreement Earlier in the day, the semi-official Sudanese Media Service had reported that, "according to a source in the National Security (agency), a plan of sabotage was aborted at dawn this morning that aimed to create security chaos which was led by persons from the opposition." Thirteen people were arrested, according to Osman, most notably Salah Ghosh, former head of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services. Read more: Sudan to reopen borders with South Sudan Sudanese Media Service said the source added that there was a "plan of sabotage which sought to shake the stability and security of the country," and that after the arrests, "the specialized authorities" immediately began investigations of "civil and military persons connected to the plan." The apparent coup attempt comes at a time when Sudan is facing serious challenges with conflicts in the country's peripheral provinces of Blue Nile, South Kordofan and Darfur. Read more: Sudan president vows to 'punish' South Sudan Sudan's oil-dependent economy took a blow in 2011 when South Sudan seceded, taking with it the majority of the oil wealth. Economic austerity measures last summer sparked Arab Spring-like protests against the government, and increased calls for reform within the National Congress Party, led by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who has ruled since 1989. Read more: Supermodel Alek Wek's emotional homecoming Witnesses said they saw tanks and military vehicles move around in the capital in the very early morning hours Thursday. "I saw tanks around one of the bridges," one witness said. Osman said "things are now stable" and "there is no extension of this act into the army or security" services. "Some in the opposition dreamt that this chaos would create an opportunity to topple the regime," he said. They are dreaming. November 22, 2012 -- Updated 1425 GMT (2225 HKT) The brief but bloody Gaza conflict marks a clear wake-up call to both sides on the need to start serious talks beyond the new cease-fire. November 22, 2012 -- Updated 1427 GMT (2227 HKT) Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy's efforts to broker an end to the Israel-Gaza conflict highlight the delicate balancing act he faces. November 22, 2012 -- Updated 0810 GMT (1610 HKT) Almost 80 people have set themselves on fire to protest China's rule, a contrast to the Tunisian act that's seen as a catalyst for Arab Spring. Greece is hoping a derelict airport -- one which has sparked a contest among investors -- will help solve its debt woes. Secret cinemas, surprise dinners and now clandestine hotels. Why are people happy to pay without knowing what they're getting?