JUBA
The South Sudanese government on Thursday denied that it had plans to form an interim government.
Speaking at a press conference, Ateny Wek Ateny, President Salva Kiir's press secretary, stressed that the South Sudanese leader had not agreed to form an interim government.
Rather, Ateny said, Kiir had decided to form a national government to include all political parties while excluding rebels loyal to sacked vice-president Riek Machar.
He said Kiir had met with party leaders to discuss the formation of a national government, adding that the new cabinet line-up would soon be unveiled.
Ateny added that his government was committed to following through with peace talks,currently underway in Addis Ababa.
South Sudan has been shaken by violence since last December, when Kiir accused Machar of standing behind a failed coup attempt.
The violence has already claimed more than 10,000 lives.
The U.N. estimates that some 3.7 million South Sudanese are now "severely food insecure," while more than 867,000 have been displaced by the violence.
Following a month-long first round of talks in the Ethiopian capital, the two sides signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in January.
By Atem Simon
englishnews@aa.com.tr
