UNITED NATIONS, May 10 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Saturday strongly condemned the attacks by a Sudanese rebel group on the country's capital Khartoum.

    In a statement issued by his press office, Ban expressed "grave concern at the outbreak of fighting on the outskirts of Khartoum as a result of the reported attacks by Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) forces against the capital."

    "He condemns strongly the use of armed force and military means by JEM for the achievement of political ends, and calls for an immediate cessation of fighting and a renewed commitment to a peaceful resolution of outstanding issues," the statement said.

    The secretary-general also expressed his "anxiety at the effect they (the attacks) would have on the overall situation in Sudan, as well as on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and Darfur Agreement, and at the possible effect on civilian lives and property of any escalation of such attack," it added.

    Meanwhile, the Sudanese government said it had defeated the JEM militants, who clashed with government troops Saturday on the outskirts of Khartoum in an attempt to seize the capital.

    The JEM is one of the main rebel groups from Sudan's troubled Darfur region.