bitterness
and mistrust in the way of real peace is immense.
The UN Security Council has demanded an immediate and unconditional end to fighting between Sudan and South Sudan. It described the escalating conflict as a serious threat to international peace. The council asked both sides to
pull ba
ck
their forces, and called for South Sudanese troops to withdraw from the Heglig oil field they
seized
on Tuesday, and for Sudan to end aerial bombardments. The council statement came hours after the presidents of the two countries accused each other of seeking a full-scale war.
The Egyptian parliament has voted for a law that would ban some senior officials who served under former President Mubarak from standing for president in the forthcoming elections. The law would
disqualify
the former Vice-President Omar Suleiman, who has just declared his candidacy. However, the measure is likely to be blocked by the ruling military council. From Cairo, Jon Leyne reports.
This law was adopted by the Egyptian parliament as a direct response to the decision by the former intelligence chief and Vice-President Omar Suleiman to run for president. In theory, it could prevent Mr Suleiman and several other officials who served under Hosni Mubarak from standing in next month's election. In practice, it's unlikely to be
ratified
by the ruling military council and most unlikely to come into force before the electoral commission certifies the list of candidates later this month.