(VOVworld) – South Sudan President Salva Kiir ruled out Wednesday a proposed power-sharing deal with the rebel leader Riek Machar, dashing hopes for an end to South Sudan's 15-month old civil.

South Sudan President Salva Kiir has ruled out a proposed power-sharing deal with rebels (Photo: AFP/Zacharias Abubeker)

Speaking at a political rally in the capital Juba, Kiir rejected the suggestion that Riek be given the position of vice president. The proposal was put forward during February talks brokered by east Africa regional trading bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development and hosted in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

Kiir didn’t accept the issue of the two armies, referring to another section of a proposed agreement that envisages a separation of forces during a transitional period.

However President Kiir confirmed his government’s commitment to end the war in South Sudan, adding that "national dialogue, forgiveness, reconciliation and building consensus" held the answer. He also criticized the warnings by the international community on South Sudan, saying that any sanctions would be counterproductive.