US 'fully committed' to helping Sudan: Obama

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama congratulated the people of southern Sudan on the smooth start of voting that could seal their independence, and said Sunday that Washington is "fully committed" to helping the new African state after the referendum.

"I am extremely pleased that polling has started for the Southern Sudan Referendum, and congratulate the people of Southern Sudan who are determining their own destiny," Obama said in a statement, calling the vote "an historic step."

"The United States will remain fully committed to helping the parties solve critical post-referendum issues regardless of the outcome of the vote," he said.

While the outcome of the vote is uncertain, he said that a decision by the Sudanese community to secede would be closely monitored by world leaders.

"The international community is united and determined to ensure that all parties in Sudan live up to their obligations. We know that there are those who may try to disrupt the voting," said Obama, adding that the conduct of the polling was also being closely watched.

"Voters must be allowed access to polling stations, and must be able to cast their ballots free from intimidation and coercion. All sides should refrain from inflammatory rhetoric or provocative actions that could raise tensions or prevent voters from expressing their will," the US leader said.

"While a successful vote will be cause for celebration, an enormous amount of work remains to ensure the people of Sudan can live with security and dignity," said Obama, who added that "the world will be watching in the coming days."