S. Sudan's opposition leader in Khartoum for medical treatment

Sudan on Tuesday announced that South Sudan's opposition leader Riek Machar is in Khartoum for medical treatment, official SUNA news agency reported.

"Sudan has recently received Riek Machar for pure humanitarian reasons, top of them his need for medical treatment," the agency quoted Ahmed Bilal Osman, Sudan's Information Minister and government spokesman, as saying.

"Upon his arrival, his health condition necessitated quick response, and the United Nations earlier announced that it received him in one of the region's countries for the same reasons," Osman said.

He said Machar is still in Khartoum, adding that "Machar's health condition is now stable and he will stay in the country under comprehensive health care until he leaves to wherever he wants to complete his treatment."

Osman said the Sudanese authorities have informed South Sudan's government with Machar's presence in Sudan.

Machar left South Sudan's capital Juba after violent clashes broke out between his troops and the government army, which left hundreds of people killed.

Last Sunday, Sudan received Taba Deng who was appointed by South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit as First Vice-President to succeed Machar. Endit