Praise -- and warnings -- for Sudan

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- World leaders heaped praised on the Sudanese people for the success of a weeklong referendum for South Sudan but warned of further challenges ahead.

Voting for an independent South Sudan came to an end during the weekend with few reports of violence. The referendum was part of a comprehensive peace agreement brokered in 2005 that brought an end to one of the most violent civil wars in modern history.

U.S. President Barack Obama in a statement said the non-violent voting gave the international community renewed faith in the prospect of a peaceful Sudan.

Though official results won't be known for some time, Obama said "independent observers have been extremely encouraged by the credibility of the process to date."

Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament, said in a statement that the "fact that it has happened according to the time frame of the comprehensive peace agreement and without any major incident is in itself a success."

Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, echoed Buzek's sentiments, but said reports of violence in the divided oil-rich region of Abyei was cause for concern.

"I call upon the Sudanese parties to maintain calm and resolve this issue through peaceful dialogue," she said in a statement.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said he would honor the outcome of the referendum. It is widely anticipated that voters in South Sudan voted overwhelmingly for independence.

Official results are to be announced Feb. 6. A new nation would be announced to the world July 9 if election results are sanctioned.