UN envoy in Khartoum for talks on South Sudan crisis

Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Sudan and South Sudan Haile Menkerios held talks here on Wednesday with Undersecretary of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry Rahma Mohamad Othman on the latest development of the ongoing violence in South Sudan since December 16. Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Othman said he reaffirmed the stance of Sudan that the only way for resolving the crisis in the southern neighbor is through dialogue. "We've told Mr. Menkerios that Sudan is ready to do whatever it can to help the mediation effort of the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), " he said. Othman added that his country has a strategic interest in restoring security and stability in South Sudan. Mr. Menkerios is scheduled to continue his talks with the Sudanese officials before heading to Juba for talks with South Sudanese leaders.