Khartoum says it seeks peace with South Sudan

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AFP) - Khartoum on Thursday said it seeks peace with South Sudan and hopes the South responds favourably to African Union and UN resolutions for ending hostilities.

"The government of Sudan confirms her own strategic calls to have peace between the two states and it hopes the government of South Sudan gives a positive reaction to the African and UN Security Council resolutions," the foreign ministry's spokesman, Al-Obeid Meruh, said in a statement.

While recommitting Khartoum to African Union (AU) efforts to end hostilities between Sudan and South Sudan, the foreign ministry's statement was vague in its response to a United Nations resolution backing the AU plan.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday ordered Sudan and the South to halt hostilities in 48 hours or face possible sanctions, giving diplomatic muscle to AU efforts to end violence and get peace negotiations started.

"The Minister of Foreign Affairs renews the position of the government of Sudan and her commitment to African solutions to African problems and conflicts," said Meruh.