Sudan today rejected UN Security Council involvement in efforts to end weeks of border clashes with South Sudan that have raised fears of a wider war. While expressing full confidence in the AU's role, Foreign Minister Ali Karti in a statement said, involvement by the Security Council would give priority to a political position which was announced before and has a hidden agenda. 

The African Union itself, in a decision last Tuesday, asked the Security Council to endorse its demand that the two Sudans halt hostilities in 48 hours, start talks within two weeks and complete a peace accord in three months. Meanwhile, there has been more fighting along the volatile border between Sudan and South Sudan.

A spokesman for the South Sudan Army said the troops fought out attempt by the rebels near the town of Malakal. Officials said, several soldiers were wounded. The rebels said, they captured two nearby villages on yesterday.