S Sudan has no relations with Israel: official

According to southern Sudan’s president, there are no ties between his regional government and Israel, a newspaper reported on Friday.

Salva Kiir, Sudan's first vice president, and president of the southern Sudanese government said what has been said about the southern Sudanese government having ties with the Jewish state is untrue and inaccurate, Ashraq al-Awsat reported.

Also, in a closed meeting with the Arab League secretary, Amr Moussa, Kiir said that he rejects reports that there are ties between the southern Sudanese government and Israel, adding that he understands the Arab World’s sensitivity toward this issue.

Southerners are expected to vote on January 9 on whether they want to remain part of the united Sudan or declare their independence.

Asked about a possible meeting with the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, he said that “We have agreed to discuss all outstanding issues with the National Congress party via dialogue, without resorting to violence or war. We hope to make security top of the agenda, and to solve all issues by dialogue.”

He also asked the Arab League Secretary-General to open an independent diplomatic embassy in Juba, which Moussa said is an issue that he will raise with the Arab League.

“Southern Sudan will continue to have good relations with the entire Arab World without exception," he said, adding that the people of Sudan are not voting [in the referendum] to incite war, but for peace, good brotherly relations, and mutual respect [between north and south Sudan].

U.S. President Barack Obama's administration supports the upcoming referendum. Obama said that Sudan is one of his "highest priorities", and described it as " a dangerous area”.

“The last time there was a war between north and south, 2 million people were killed, “ he said.