The Secretary-General met today with H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir, President of the Republic of South Sudan on the margins of the AU Summit.

A number of issues were discussed, including positive transitional developments in South Sudan, where the Secretary-General commended President Kiir's work in forming a Ministerial Cabinet and the installation of a National Legislative Assembly, while stressing the importance of moving forward the constitutional review processes in an open and inclusive manner.

Issues relating to post-independence arrangements were discussed, including the transit of oil through Sudan and a prompt resolution of the Abyei dispute and the deadlock on the implementation of the 20 June agreement on Abyei.

The Secretary-General reiterated the continued engagement of the United Nations for peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan, and in particular the support to national and local authorities in de-escalating inter-community tensions.