WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Wednesday reiterated its deep concern over reports of violence in Khartoum, urging all parties of Sudan to remain calm and to refrain from violence.

    "We urge the government of National Unity to continue to take steps to stop the violence, to promote reconciliation and to maintain momentum on implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement," acting State Department spokesman Tom Casey said at a news briefing.

    "The United States joins the rest of the international community in calling for the government to urgently take the additional steps that may be necessary to send a clear message to all the people of Sudan regarding its determination to halt the violence," Casey said.

    "We strongly urge all the parties to work together towards achieving that peace, towards implementing that agreement, and to carry out the vision that Dr. Garang had set forward of a unified,prosperous and peaceful Sudan."

    More violence erupted in Sudan's capital Tuesday following the sudden death of the first vice president and southern leader John Garang in an air crash. The violent activities have killed 46 people over two days.

    Garang's successor as head of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has called for calm as he prepared to assume the post of vice president.

    Garang was sworn in as vice president on July 9 under a US-backed peace deal between the Arab-led government in Khartoum and the largely African rebel forces of the marginalized south, which had long fought for separation. Enditem