South Sudan - Libya has officially recognised the Republic of South Sudan as an independent and sovereign State, the Libayn general popular committee for External Relations and International Cooperation announced on Saturday. In a communiqué published in Tripoli, the committee stressed the "total" preparedness of Libya to build diplomatic relations with South Sudan on the basis of mutual respect and bilateral cooperation to promote peace and security at the regional and international levels. The committee indicated that the decision of Libya was motivated by the respect of the will of the people of South Sudan and its right to self-determination as expressed during the democratic and free referendum for the establishment of an independent State.

The committee expressed the wishes of Libya for more security and peace for the people and to the government of South Sudan.

South Sudan on Saturday became an independent state, six months to the day after the referendum on independence.

The official ceremony of proclamation of the independence took place in Juba, the capital of the country that has become the 54th African nation.

Pana 09/07/2011