Garang dies after historic position as Sudan's postwar first vice-president

The Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir officially confirmed in a statement issued by the Presidency Office the death of the First Vice President, John Garang, and six of his aides, in a plane crash which was carrying him upon his return back from a private visit to the President of Uganda.

The official news agency SUNA reported that the plane carrying Garang fell in a mountain area of south Sudan.

The Sudanese president said that "Garang was a man who believed in peace" and "worked for it with all his might, which opened the hearts of the Sudanese to him," and "his cause for peace has become the cause of Sudan and the world, and that the path of peace will continue towards its aim." Bashir added that "his death will only increase Sudan's determination for peace."

The news said that the president is in contact with the family of Garang, and the leaders of Garang's Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM).

The statement called on citizens to abide by calm to help the country pass through this difficult event.

The Sudanese president will be accepting condolences for Garang's death at the Presidential Palace, today.

Earlier, an Ugandan official confirmed the death of Garang in the crash of the plane of the President of Uganda, Yuri Mousevini, which carried him together with all its occupants. Two officials at the UN indicated that the remains of the plane and the body of Garang body were found.