Sudanese President urges both sides to negotiate

The President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, has held talks
with his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir Mayardit in
South Sudan's capital Juba. Al-Bashir urged both sides to
settle their differences through dialogue.
"We came so that we can get a sense of what our role
should be and what needs doing. We are convinced that
armed conflict will only create complications that will do
no good, that the people of South Sudan must and will
come back to the negotiating table," he said.
The two leaders also held discussions on deploying a joint
force to secure oil fields in the south. South Sudan has to
export its oil using pipelines in Sudan. The fighting is
costing Sudan lost oil revenue.
The visit comes as direct talks are being held in Ethiopia
between representatives of the warring factions. Officials
say the two sides have agreed on rules for the talks,
which are set to resume on Tuesday.
Negotiations focus on the cessation of hostilities and the
status of political prisoners. The sectarian violence has left
at least one thousand people dead, and displaced an
estimated two hundred thousand. Rebels are currently in
control of two important state capitals.
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