The United Nations says the government has rejected its efforts to deliver attack helicopters to its mission in South Sudan.

It says they could have been used to improve the protection of civilians. U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous says its personnel caught taking photos have also been accused of espionage.

He told the Security Council meeting yesterday that the movements of peacekeepers have also been restricted during the 18-month conflict.

However, the Press Secretary in the Office of the President, Ateny Wek Ateny, has dismissed the claims.

He says South Sudan has been cooperating with the United Nations.

“First of all, this is not true because the government of the Republic of South Sudan is cooperating with the United Nations. We have accorded them the maximum cooperation,” Mr Ateny said.

“Only that we are reserved on the issues to do with the sovereignty. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan wanted to bring drones to South Sudan. This is not acceptable. Drones for what?”

The UN Security Council has threatened to impose sanctions on anyone undermining security or interfering with the peace process in the country, but has not sanctioned anyone yet.