UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has told the Security Council of the need to urgently end impunity in South Sudan.

Mr Ban said several reports have shown that there are reasons to believe that serious abuses and gross violations of human rights and international laws were committed in the conflict.

These include the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and of the Human Rights Council; both say the government and the opposition forces and their allies committed the violations.

Mr Ban says the alleged crimes threaten peace, security and stability in South Sudan.

He says accountability, reconciliation and healing are important in ensuring sustainable peace and has expressed commitment to ensure that a hybrid court is established for South Sudan.

Mr Ban made the statement at the end of last week in a report to the Security Council on technical assistance provided to the African Union and the forthcoming transitional government of national unity in South Sudan.