Ban urges leaders of Sudan and South Sudan to meet to end conflict

Sudan is bombing oil-rich regions of South Sudan in order to scare away American and Chinese investors, a South Sudan official said Monday, as U.S. President Barack Obama expressed concern about the growing tensions between the two countries.       

South Sudan government spokesman Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Sudan is bombarding disputed areas in South Sudan despite a Feb. 10 nonaggression and cooperation pact signed by both countries in African Union-led negotiations in Ethiopia.       

"As we speak today they are continuing bombing villages," Benjamin said.       

Sudan described as "false and unfounded" claims by South Sudan that Khartoum was attacking and occupying southern Sudan territories.       

A statement issued by Sudan's government delegation to the talks to resolve disputes between the two countries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, instead accused South Sudan of attacking a region in Sudan.       

Sudan and South Sudan have previously blamed each other for starting the conflict in the disputed regions.       

President Obama asked South Sudan President Salva Kiir in a telephone conversation to ensure that South Sudan's military exercises maximum restraint and is not involved in or supporting fighting along the border, according to a statement from the White House.

Obama said it is important for the two sides to reach an agreement on oil.       

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the governments of Sudan and South Sudan "to immediately cease hostilities" and implement agreements already reached on security, border monitoring and the disputed border region of Abyei, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky said.       

Ban called on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir to meet with Kiir as soon as possible, Nesirky said.       

A meeting scheduled between the two leaders for Tuesday was canceled by Sudan.