Last updated: 4 january, 2011 - 16:41 GMT
Sudan president visits South ahead of independence referendum
The referendum is part of a 2005 deal that ended a two-decades-long war
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir has said he would be sad to see Sudan split into two countries, as it heads for a referendum next week expected to lead to independence for the south.
He was speaking in the southern Sudanese capital, Juba, in an address broadcast live on national television.
However, Mr Bashir said he would be happy if the formation of the two states brought real peace to both parts of Sudan.
Ezekiel Gatkuoth is head of the South Sudan mission to the United Nations.
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First broadcast 4 January 2011
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