Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said on Monday he accepts the results of January's referendum on the independence of the south, the presidential chief of staff Bakri Hasan Salekh announced.
"We declare our respect for and acceptance of the choice made by the people of the South, as well as the referendum results," Bakri quoted the presidential decree as saying.
In the January 9-15 referendum, over 98% of voters in Sudan's oil-producing south chose to break away from the north the country, which is expected to split in two on July 9.
Hundreds of people are reportedly gathering in the southern capital Juba on Monday to celebrate the official results.
KHARTOUM, February 7 (RIA Novosti)
