Iran urges South Sudan to withdraw forces from Heglig
TEHRAN, April 16 (MNA) – Iran has called on South Sudan to withdraw its forces from the Heglig region.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran is concerned about the attack on Sudanese soil and calls for the withdrawal of South Sudanese forces to the demarcated borders,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ramin Mehmanparast said on Sunday.
“Iran closely monitors regional developments, condemns any act of aggression, and calls for the unconditional and immediate withdrawal of South Sudanese forces to the demarcated borders and respect to Sudan’s national sovereignty and the agreements made between the two sides involved (in the issue),” he stated.
Mehmanparast also called on both sides to exercise self-restraint to help pave the way for the peaceful settlement of the issue through negotiations.
He added that there is no “military solution” to the dispute and expressed hope that peace and stability would be restored in the two countries.
According to Al Jazeera, Sudan pulled out of the negotiations with South Sudan after the South seized Heglig, as the two sides continued to fail to resolve issues including the position of the 1,800km border, division of the national debt, and status of citizens in each other’s territory.