JUBA, South Sudan — The estimated 25,000 armed fighters whom the government said had been marching toward a state capital in what could have been a vicious military confrontation have mostly disbanded and returned home, a South Sudan government spokesman said Sunday.Michael Makuei Lueth said that Nuer community leaders in Jonglei state met with the fighters — known as the "White Army" and loyal to rebel leader Riek Machar — over the past 48 hours and persuaded most to stand down. Only a "very few" refused to listen and are gathering, Lueth said. An exact number was not known, he said."They have listened to the reasoning, and they have accepted to go back," Lueth said. "Not all of them, of course. There are some who are resistant. It's not clear if they will advance. The number which is left is negligible, and they may not be able to proceed."On Saturday, Lueth said more than 25,000 Lou Nuer youth were marching toward Bor, the provincial capital of Jonglei state, raising the specter of a deadly battle with South Sudan troops, as well as potential attacks on the United Nations base there. Nuer youth in Akobo attacked a U.N. base earlier this month, killing three U.N. soldiers and about two dozen ethnic Dinkas.South Sudan troops remain on "maximum alert" in case fighters try to attack.
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