Iran Urges South Sudan to Respect Sovereignty of Northern Neighbor - Fars News Agency

"Iran closely follows up the development of the Middle-East. We want the South Sudanese forces to withdraw to the demarked borders and respecting Northern Sudan's sovereignty," Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehman-Parast said on Sunday.

Mehman-Parast called on both countries to maintain their self-restraint and pave the way for holding talks with the purpose of settling down their differences through peaceful means.

"Removal of tensions between Southern and Northern Sudan does not have a military solution. We hope that by establishing peace and tranquility, we could witness the development and prosperity of both countries," he added.

South Sudanese troops seized control of the disputed Heglig oilfield from Sudan last Tuesday, prompting widespread condemnation from global powers and vows of retaliation from Khartoum.

The fighting has brought the former civil war foes closer to a resumption of full-blown conflict than at any time since the south seceded in July.

The escalating conflict is jeopardizing hopes of recovery and nation-building in South Sudan, which became Africa's 54th state last year after voting in a referendum on independence.