The United States mourned the death of Sudanese First Vice President John Garang on Monday and urged the parties in the country to keep up the peace process.

"I offer my condolences on the tragic death of Sudanese First Vice President John Garang to his wife Rebecca Garang, his family, and to the people of Sudan," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement.

"He was a man of great intellect and energy, and he applied those qualities to achieving a just peace for the people of Sudan. His efforts were instrumental in ending the 22-year-old civil war and offering the hope of democracy and a unified country," Rice said.

"The United States remains firmly committed to the cause of peace in all of Sudan, including resolution of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. And we urge all parties to work towards Dr. Garang's vision of a unified, prosperous and peaceful Sudan," Rice said.

Garang, a former southern rebel leader who was sworn in as first vice president only on July 9, was killed in a helicopter crash on Monday.

Source: Xinhua