Ban seeks South Sudan parties' cooperation to solve crisis

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for "full cooperation" of all parties in finding a peaceful solution to the crisis of South Sudan Monday, in a phone call with its president Salva Kiir.

Ban welcomed Kiir's commitment to a cessation of hostilities and readiness to engage opposition leaders in dialogue and encouraged him to consider the early release of political prisoners, Xinhua reported citing the UN spokesperson's office.

He reiterated full UN support for mediation efforts by the East African regional bloc known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and called for full cooperation by all parties in finding a peaceful solution. Ban also stressed the need to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on civilians.