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26 May 2014 - 15:25

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit his country.

The South Sudanese Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin thanked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday for carrying a letter from his country's president to Putin, which invited the Russian leader to South Sudan, the state news agency reported.

Marial Benjamin promised Putin a warm welcome in the hot heart of Africa.

The minister conveyed condolences from the South Sudan president over the crash of a Russian helicopter in South Sudan in December 2012.

"Hopefully, we will find a mutually advantageous solution to this problem. We will support the families of the deceased pilots," the minister said.

The Russian helicopter was shot down by South Sudanese army's servicemen in December 2012. Four Russian pilots recruited by the UN mission died.

Benjamin invited Lavrov to South Sudan and expressed gratitude for support in the question of possible sanctions against his country. He said he would be glad to welcome Lavrov to South Sudan, saying, "As far as I know, Lavrov believes what he sees and promise that Lavrov will see the achievements of the young country in Juba."
 

News ID 186655