Countries and groups from around the world Monday mourned the tragic death of Sudanese Vice-President John Garang and called for peace process to continue in the country after his death.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Sudanese people to remain calm after the death of Garang, and to carry out the historic peace deal signed in January between the former southern rebel leader and Khartoum.

"It was with great sorrow that I learned about the death of Vice President Garang," Annan told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, describing Garang as "a man who had lived and fought for peace and one united Sudan."

Annan said he had spoken with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who assured him that "they are going to move forward with the peace process."

African Union Commission Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare said he was shocked upon hearing the news of Garang's death.

He expressed deep sorrow upon the untimely death of Garang in a helicopter accident on his way back to Sudan from Uganda.

The European Commission (EC), the executive body of the European Union (EU), expressed its "deep regret" over the tragic death of Garang.

European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Louis Michel said in a written statement that he "had the highest respect for (Garang), notably in the decisive role he played in the conclusion in January of a comprehensive peace agreement ending more than 20 years of civil war in south Sudan."

The Arab League (AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa expressed his confidence in the continuation of Sudan's peace process, even in the face of Garang's tragic death in a helicopter accident.

"I believe the accident will not impact the peace process in Sudan because the course will benefit all people in the country," Moussa told a press conference in Egypt.

The United States dispatched two senior State Department officials to Sudan on Monday to help keep the peace process running smoothly there.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Connie Newman and the US Special Representative to Sudan Roger Winter will confer with parties in Sudan and "encourage them to maintain momentum on the comprehensive peace agreement and on Darfur," State Department acting spokesman Tom Casey said at a briefing.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement, "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."

"France calls for restraint on all Sudanese parties and to continue to work toward peace and national reconciliation, continuing the implementation of the peace deal signed on Jan. 9 in Nairobi," French Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Cecile Pozzo di Borgo said at a news conference in Paris.

In a letter addressed to the Sudanese government, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who visited Sudan on Friday, also hailed the role Garang played "in the reconciliation that has recently reached to the country."

Meanwhile, African countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya also joined the world in mourning the passing of the Sudanese leader and the Ugandan government has declared a three-day mourning period as of Tuesday, with flags flying half-mast to commemorate his death.

Garang was killed in a helicopter crash on Saturday, three weeks after he was installed as first vice president in Sudan's unity government, created in accordance with the peace deal.

As leader of the former rebel Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Garang signed the peace deal with the Khartoum government in January, formally putting an end to the country's decades-long north-south conflict.

Deputy chairman of the SPLM Salva Kiir Miyardeit was appointed on Monday as successor to the late chairman. He will also take over Garang's role as the First Vice President of the fledgling unity government.

Riots broke out in the streets of Khartoum after Garang was confirmed dead. A group of people, most of them thought to be southerners, took to the streets in central Khartoum to express their shock and anger.

The rally turned violent, with some of the rioters smashing cars, looting, and setting shops ablaze. A security source said at least 24 people were killed in clashes with police.

The Sudanese government imposed a curfew in Khartoum from 6:00 p.m. on Monday (1500 GMT) to 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Tuesday before calm was gradually restored.

Source: Xinhua