President Salva Kiir says the government will discuss with the international community ways in which deployment of a regional protection force can best be implemented.

This follows the recent resolution adopted by the UN Security Council to deploy 4000 troops from the African Union regional forces in South Sudan.

The proposal was also backed by the IGAD member countries.

The force will have a strong mandate of protecting key public installations, the airport and ensuring safety of civilians in the country, among others.

President Kiir said implementation of the decision has to serve “mutual interests” of both the government and the international community.

He said deploying the forces without full consent of the government compromises the sovereignty of the country and restricts the ability to govern it.

President Kiir was speaking to parliamentarians during the first session of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly in Juba this afternoon.

“South Sudan is not instinctively or automatically against IGAD and UN involvement in this agreement. We welcome any assistance. We are attentive to advice but assistance requires dialogue,” Mr Kiir told the lawmakers.

“In respect to international involvement and intervention, there are few things that need to be explained precisely.

“It should not turn into an imposition that becomes an intervention.”

President Kiir also commended the efforts made by the international community in resolving the conflict in the country.

For his part, the newly appointed speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly said the parliament will ensure it delivers services to the people of South Sudan.