Sudan urges self-restraint to end rival bloodshed in South Sudan

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir urged the two parties in the conflict in South Sudan to exercise self-restraint and stop the fighting which started last week in the capital Juba, official SUNA news agency reported Sunday.

Al-Bashir made the remarks during telephone conversations with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice-President Riek Machar, the report said.

The president reiterated the importance of ending the bloodshed so as not to drag the area to tribal and political conflicts that would cripple the procession of peace and development of South Sudan.

Last Thursday, violent clashes broke out between forces loyal to president Kiir and Machar respectively around the Presidential Palace in Juba and extended to neighborhoods around and places near the airport.

On Sunday the UN reported the use of mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and heavy ground assault weaponry, and a helicopter gunship was also reported above Juba.

Machar's spokesman James Gatdet Dak was said to have blamed the government troops for the fighting.

"Our forces have been attacked at Jebel base," said Dak, pointing out that the attack had been repulsed. Endit