The Khartoum armed forces denied rumors purported by the Juba government on backing rebels under former South Sudan vice president Riek Machar.

North Sudan has no interest in backing or harboring Machar's forces, the Sudanese armed forces spokesman told the Sudanese newspaper Al Youm Al Tali on Tuesday.

Colonel Al Sawarmy Khaled Saad said his country will not imitate South Sudan in supporting rebels against the Khartoum government.

He said North Sudan will respond through legitimate channels, adding that the accusation leveled by South Sudan is meant to cover Juba's support for rebels in North Sudan.

Machar was fired from his position as vice president in July 2013, when President Salva Kiir sacked his cabinet. In December of the same year, Mr. Kiir accused Machar of being behind a failed coup bid that triggered the violence that is still ongoing in parts of South Sudan.

The new rebel movement was announced in February.