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South Sudan rebels attack key town South Sudan rebel 'agrees to talks after taking Bor'
(35 minutes later)
Anti-government rebels in South Sudan have attacked the key town of Bor, just hours before a deadline for a ceasefire expires. South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar has told the BBC he will enter peace talks, claiming his forces have captured the key town of Bor.
A UN spokesman said the fighting began at daybreak, not far from the town's UN compound. He had previously demanded 11 detainees accused of being co-conspirators in the coup plan be freed before negotiations.
A South Sudanese army spokesman confirmed a "big fight" had happened. He denies there was a plot - alleged by his rival President Salva Kiir.
Uganda's president has threatened the rebels with military action if they fail to agree to a ceasefire by the end of Tuesday, and begin talks.Uganda's president has threatened the rebels with military action if they fail to agree to a ceasefire by the end of Tuesday, and begin talks.
But the rebel leader, Riek Machar, has demanded the release of all his detained political allies before any talks can begin, something South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has rejected. In a BBC interview on Monday, President Kiir ruled out any power sharing with Mr Machar to halt violence that has killed at least 1,000 people in the last two weeks.
Ethnic conflict? "These men have rebelled. If you want power, you don't rebel so that you are rewarded with the power. You go through the process," he said.
Only last week the army was celebrating the recapture of Bor from the rebel forces - but it now appears that the rebels are back, and have captured a key crossroads. Mr Kiir has consistently refused to release Mr Machar's political allies, arrested when he made the coup plot allegations.
The UN believes the attackers are a mix of mutinous soldiers loyal to Mr Machar and an ethnic militia called the "white army", known for putting white ash onto their bodies as a kind of war-paint. 'Big fight'
Mr Machar himself has denied any links with the "white army". It has not been confirmed whether Bor has fallen to Mr Machar's forces - a mix of mutinous soldiers loyal to him and an ethnic militia called the "white army", known for putting white ash onto their bodies as a kind of war-paint.
A UN spokesman said the town of Bor had come under attack at day break, not far from the town's UN compound.
A South Sudanese army spokesman confirmed a "big fight" had happened.
Later, Mr Machar told the BBC he was sending a delegation to Addis Ababa for peace talks.
The BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Juba, says talks in South Sudan's troubled history have often been preceded by renewed fighting, to allow the belligerents to go to the negotiating table in a position of strength.
In recent days, thousands of people have fled from Bor, the capital of Jonglei state.In recent days, thousands of people have fled from Bor, the capital of Jonglei state.
The fighting initially broke out more than two weeks ago in the capital, Juba, and has now spread to many parts of the country. The fighting initially broke out more than two weeks ago in Juba, and has now spread to many parts of the country.
At least 1,000 people have died and more than 121,600 are believed to have fled their homes.At least 1,000 people have died and more than 121,600 are believed to have fled their homes.
Mr Machar, who was President Kiir's deputy until he was sacked in July - is accused of mounting a coup that sparked the violence. He denies the allegation. Mr Machar was President Kiir's deputy until he was sacked in July.
What began as a power struggle between the two men has taken on overtones of an ethnic conflict. The Dinka, to which Mr Kiir belongs, are pitted against the Nuer, from which Mr Machar hails.What began as a power struggle between the two men has taken on overtones of an ethnic conflict. The Dinka, to which Mr Kiir belongs, are pitted against the Nuer, from which Mr Machar hails.
Mr Kiir has ruled out any power sharing with Mr Machar, telling the BBC on Monday: "These men have rebelled. If you want power, you don't rebel so that you are rewarded with the power. You go through the process."