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Heavy gunfire in southern Sudan Heavy gunfire in southern Sudan
(10 minutes later)
Fighting has broken out between the Sudanese army and the former southern rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, the United Nations has said.Fighting has broken out between the Sudanese army and the former southern rebels, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, the United Nations has said.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was "deeply concerned" over clashes that flared in the southern town of Malakal on Monday and Tuesday.UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was "deeply concerned" over clashes that flared in the southern town of Malakal on Monday and Tuesday.
Non-essential UN and aid agency staff have been leaving Malakal.Non-essential UN and aid agency staff have been leaving Malakal.
The violence breaks a deal between Sudan's Arab north and black African south signed nearly two years ago.The violence breaks a deal between Sudan's Arab north and black African south signed nearly two years ago.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says it is one of the most serious violations of the January 2005 peace agreement.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says it is one of the most serious violations of the January 2005 peace agreement.
There were reports of heavy gunfire in Malakal, but no reliable word on casualties.There were reports of heavy gunfire in Malakal, but no reliable word on casualties.
OilfieldsOilfields
The violence quickly escalated after initial clashes between southern troops and the northern Sudanese Armed Forces militia led by Maj Gen Gabriel Tang.The violence quickly escalated after initial clashes between southern troops and the northern Sudanese Armed Forces militia led by Maj Gen Gabriel Tang.
Forces from the national army and the former southern rebels, the SPLA, fought in the streets of Malakal.Forces from the national army and the former southern rebels, the SPLA, fought in the streets of Malakal.
The situation had calmed by Wednesday, but the UN chief remained concerned over a possible outbreak of renewed violence. Last year's peace deal has held - until nowThe situation had calmed by Wednesday, but the UN chief remained concerned over a possible outbreak of renewed violence.
In a statement, Mr Annan appealed to Sudan's national unity and the government of southern Sudan "to make all possible efforts to contain the situation".In a statement, Mr Annan appealed to Sudan's national unity and the government of southern Sudan "to make all possible efforts to contain the situation".
The UN peacekeepers in the town withdrew to their barracks.The UN peacekeepers in the town withdrew to their barracks.
A spokeswoman said they had no mandate to intervene and that the UN was encouraging both sides to peacefully resolve the situation.A spokeswoman said they had no mandate to intervene and that the UN was encouraging both sides to peacefully resolve the situation.
There are 10,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in southern Sudan at a cost of $1bn a year.There are 10,000 UN peacekeepers deployed in southern Sudan at a cost of $1bn a year.
Located on the banks of the Nile near Sudan's oilfields, Malakal is one of the tensest towns in the south, our correspondent says.Located on the banks of the Nile near Sudan's oilfields, Malakal is one of the tensest towns in the south, our correspondent says.
During 20 years of civil war, Khartoum armed numerous ethnic militias in the area to enable it to begin extracting oil.During 20 years of civil war, Khartoum armed numerous ethnic militias in the area to enable it to begin extracting oil.
MarginalisationMarginalisation
Unlike the continuing conflict in Darfur, Sudan's north-south ceasefire has largely held but few militiamen have handed in their weapons.Unlike the continuing conflict in Darfur, Sudan's north-south ceasefire has largely held but few militiamen have handed in their weapons.
Under the peace deal, the SPLA joined a unity government and SPLA leader Salva Kiir is national vice-president.Under the peace deal, the SPLA joined a unity government and SPLA leader Salva Kiir is national vice-president.
Last month, however, south Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar told the BBC that some aspects of the deal had done been implemented, such as sharing oil revenue and civil service jobs.Last month, however, south Sudan's Vice-President Riek Machar told the BBC that some aspects of the deal had done been implemented, such as sharing oil revenue and civil service jobs.
At the time BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut said anger was growing in the south at their perceived marginalisation.At the time BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut said anger was growing in the south at their perceived marginalisation.