Khartoum/Juba - The Sudanese presidency recognized formally the independence of the Republic of South Sudan as of Saturday 9 July expressing its commitment to resolve all the remaining issues of the comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Celebrations for the independence of South Sudan started Friday night in Juba as thousands went out in the streets of the town dancing and chanted the name of the first President of the Republic of South Sudan .

Many southerners said they will continue the midnight party till the morning where they will attend the formal proclamation of the independence which will take place in Juba with the presence of African leaders and representatives for the international community.

In a statement read by the Minister of Presidential Affairs Bakri Hassan Saleh Khartoum was fast to declare Friday that "the Republic of Sudan recognize the Republic of South Sudan as an independent and sovereign state as of July 9th 2011 and according to the border between North and South Sudan on the first of the month of January 1956".

Sudan further renewed its commitment to resolve all remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement as well as on post-separation within the framework of negotiations and dialogue and a spirit of cooperation. Khartoum expressed wishes that the people of the two countries will enjoy peace, development and stability.

Khartoum also appealed on the new state "to continue the recognition of agreements and treaties held by the Republic of Sudan, bilaterally, regionally and internationally."

For its part, the ruling party in South Sudan welcomed the announcement of recognition, saying it reflects the highest level of political and national responsibility by the northern government.

The leading member of the South's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement, Atim Garang, thanked the northern government during a phone call with Sudan's minister of media Kamal Ubayd.

Garang described the move as helpful to constructing amicable relations between the two neighbors and as confirmation of Sudan's ruling National Congress Party's commitment to the agreements it signed with the SPLM since the CPA.