(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KHARTOUM, Sept 4 (KUNA) -- South Sudan agreed Sunday to the deployment of a 4,000-strong regional protection additional force approved by the UN Security Council, after first rejecting the peacekeepers as a violation of its sovereignty.
The UN already has 12,500 peacekeepers in the country, and South Sudan has been wary of giving it more authority.
Sunday's announcement came after the Security Council member countries' ambassadors met with South Sudan President Salva Kiir during a rare visit to the turbulent East African country.
President Kiir have rejected in the past such move due to what he described as violation of national sovereignty.
South Sudan government said in a statement after the talks that the provisional national unity government agreed on the deployment of regional force as well as committing to allowing UN forces to move freely, including the elimination of illegal checkpoints.
Protecting civilians has become an even more critical issue after fighting erupted in the capital, Juba, in July, killing hundreds and sparking fears of a return to civil war in the already devastated country.
The additional force will be from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which will be the intermediate between the government and rebels and to ensure stability in the new born country, which was established in December 2013. (end) hhi.mb