South Sudan president sacks foreign minister

Less than a week after removing the interior and defense ministers, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has fired his foreign secretary.

The dismissal of Mayiik Ayii Deng, which was revealed via a decree on state television, was not explained.

The dismissed minister was formerly the president's office minister and is a supporter of Mr. Kiir.

First Vice-President Riek Machar and the opposition leader were working on a reconciliation agreement when they were fired last week.

The opposition demanded that Mr. Kiir reinstate Angelina Teny as defense minister after he fired her and appointed his party to the post. Mr. Machar's spouse is Mrs. Teny.

The UN called for the parties to "exercise restraint and participate in a collegial spirit in order to resolve such sensitive national problems".