United Nations Radio

The Secretary-General's envoy in Sudan has called on the Sudanese army and the Sudan People's Liberation Army of South Sudan to stop fighting in the oil-rich Abyei area in the country.

In a statement issued today, Ashraf Qazi expressed his grave concern over the resumption of military hostilities in the area since early this morning just two days after the two parties met and agreed to immediately stop the fighting.

The recent outbreak of fighting in Abeyei has forced between 30 and 50, 000 people to move southwards towards Agok where relief agencies have established five hubs to help the displaced people.

According to aid workers, Sudanese aircraft bombed a position about four kilometers north of one of the hubs.

Relief workers are concerned about insecurity and bad weather conditions in the region prone to heavy rains which create problems for road transportation.