Shelling in South Sudan oil town: defence minister

Juba (AFP) - Rebel fighters in South Sudan bombarded government positions Tuesday in the oil town of Bentiu, where 53,000 civilians are sheltering inside a United Nations camp, the defence minister said.

"The rebels are shelling our positions in Bentiu," Defence Minister Kuol Manyang told AFP. "This is a violation of the cessation of hostilities agreement, and we will act in self defence."