S.Sudan president, rebel leader agree on direct talks: Kerry (2) US Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday he had secured promises from South Sudan's president and rebel leader to hold direct talks on ending the country's brutal four-month-old civil war. After talks in Juba with President Salva Kiir, Kerry said the conflict -- with both sides accused of widespread atrocities and war crimes -- could not be allowed to rage on amid warnings of a slide towards genocide and famine. Images and soundbites to complete VID623141_EN