"The last thing the people of these two countries need is another war -- a war that could claim countless lives, destroy hope and ruin the prospects of peace and stability and prosperity of all Sudanese people, " U.N.

CNN: South Sudan says it is withdrawing from disputed oil region

"This logic represents a fundamental challenge to the principles on which, however imperfectly, world peace and stability have rested for the last 58 years, " Annan told the U.N.

CNN: Chirac: Iraq war undermined U.N.

"We welcome this withdrawal, but emphasize that this is an early step and that stability in the region remains very fragile, " said Kieran Dwyer, spokesperson for U.N. peacekeepers.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS