JUBA, Sudan, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Early returns from the south Sudan referendum showed an overwhelming vote for independence Monday.
The voting at 3,000 polling stations in the country and eight abroad began Jan. 9 and ended Saturday.
Partial results from the region's capital, Juba, gave 20,012 votes for secession and only 270 for unity, the Sudan Tribune reported.
In Torit in south Sudan's state of Eastern Equatoria, 1,718 voted for secession and seven for unity.
Results from south Sudanese voting in north Sudan were more evenly divided.
At out-of-country voting stations in London, Canada and Egypt, 97 percent of voters went for secession.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the process Monday.
"The United States commends the millions of Southern Sudanese people who participated in this historic process, and applauds both northern and southern leaders for creating conditions that allowed voters to cast their ballots freely and without fear, intimidation, or coercion," she said.
"As we await the official results of the referendum, we reaffirm our commitment to remain a steadfast partner to both parties," she added.
