State of emergency in two states in South Sudan

Khartoum, Jan 2: South

's

Salva Kiir Mayardit Wednesday declared a state of

in Unity and Jonglei States.

"President Salva has declared the state of emergency in Unity and Jonglei," reported Xinhua citing the South Sudanese government via Twitter.

The rebels force, loyal to South Sudan's former vice-president Riek Machar, are in control of Bantio, the capital of the oil- producing Unity state.

Also, South Sudan's army admitted Wednesday that the rebels had reseized the strategic town of Bor, the capital of Jonglei state, after the government troops withdrew from the town.

To put an end of the violence, the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa is expected to host Thursday peace talks between delegations of South Sudanese government and the rebels.

The forthcoming talks are to discuss ceasefire to end the clashes which claimed the lives of thousands of people in South Sudan, according to the UN reports.

IANS