Britain welcomes Heglig news

Britain on Friday welcomed news that the South of Sudan had withdrawn its forces from oil-rich area Heglig, said a statement released Friday on the Foreign and Commonwealth website. The British Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham described the news as an "important step" towards lowering tensions between the two countries. He stressed that the South of Sudan must follow through with their announcement. "It is now critical that the withdrawal takes place within the announced timetable, and that the Sudanese Armed Forces show restraint in the coming days," the Minister said. He also asked Sudan to cease fire "immediately" and stop alleged aerial bombing of South Sudan. Bellingham said that for both Governments need to "come together" in order to resolve their differences "through constructive dialogue." He called on both countries to establish a joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism.