Khartoum expresses deep concern over conflicts in S. Sudan

The Sudanese government expressed deep concern Sunday over the conflicts in South Sudan, declaring its participation in an emergency meeting scheduled in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Monday.

"Sudan government would like to express its deep concern over the recent unfortunate events which took place in the sisterly Republic of South Sudan, and which led to military clashes that resulted in the killings of a great number of people from both parties in the conflict, disturbed the security and created a state of instability," said Sudan's Foreign Ministry in a statement.

"Based on Sudan's great keenness on the security in South Sudan, the Sudanese President made telephone conversations with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice-President Riek Machar, and urged them exercise self-restraint and contain the situation to achieve stability and peace in the South," it added.

Meanwhile, the ministry said it has made intensive contacts with the international partners involved in implementing the peace deal in South Sudan to contain the situation.

Sudan's Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour is to take part in an emergency meeting of the IGAD foreign ministers in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Monday, the statement said.

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 were attacked at Jebel base," said Dak, pointing out that the attack has been repulsed. Endit