20110525
Xinhua
KHARTOUM, May 24 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese government on Tuesday reiterated commitment to protect the civilians in Abyei and provide them with relief supplies.

"There are no signs for the humanitarian deterioration in Abyei. The conditions are completely stable and the government is committed to protecting the citizens of the area and provide them with relief supplies when necessary," Khalid Musa, spokesman of the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters on Tuesday.

He held the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) responsible for the deterioration of the humanitarian situation at the area south of Baral-Arab, pointing out that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has not entered that area.

The Sudanese foreign ministry on Wednesday would brief the foreign ambassadors with the latest developments in Abyei and explain the Sudanese government's viewpoint on the recent events in the area, he said.

The Sudanese government troops recently controlled the Abyei area in response to an attack by southern Sudanese forces on a SAF convoy, which resulted in deaths of 22 Sudanese soldiers.

The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) on Tuesday said more than 15,000 civilians have fled the Abyei to Agok area in south Sudan after the SAF controlled Abyei.

Hua Jiang, the UN spokeswoman in south Sudan, stated that about 20,000 civilians had arrived in or around Agok, adding that they could not give exact figures.

She also warned against the uncertainty in Abyei and the looting in the area, demanding the Sudanese government to shoulder its responsibilities in protecting the civilians.