S. Sudan accuses Sudan of bombing in blow to talks

South Sudan accused Sudan on Friday of attacking its military positions in an oil region, imperiling the chances of a promised ceasefire between the neighbors, but Khartoum denied the charge.        
The 1,800 km-long border between the two countries had been largely quiet for the past 48 hours, raising hopes that they could begin talks to end a series of clashes over oil exports, border demarcation and citizenship that have pushed them closer towards a full-blown war.          

South Sudan's army (SPLA) spokesman Philip Aguer said Khartoum was again on the offensive on Friday: "Today they hit our positions with ground artillery in Teshween, Lalop and Panakuach."            

Aguer said Sudanese warplanes had also bombed Lalop in South Sudan's Unity state on Thursday and an SPLA position had been shelled in Teshween.           

Sudan's army spokesman denied the charge.          

"None of this is true. On the ground there are other enemies, like opposition (groups) to the South Sudanese," Sudanese army spokesman al-Sawarmi Khalid said.          

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Sudan on Friday to stop all cross-border attacks, "particularly its provocative aerial bombardments".           

Reports of the attacks came after Sudan said it was ready to accede to international demands for a halt to hostilities, albeit with a significant caveat.             

"The ministry points out, in light of the repeated attacks and aggressions that South Sudan's army is carrying out ... the Sudanese armed forces will find itself forced to use the right to self-defense," the foreign ministry said on Thursday.           

Limited access to the remote border areas makes it difficult to verify often contradictory statements from both sides.       

Reuters