South Sudan's main militia has given its support to new First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit and said it would resume talks on joining the southern security force. The announcement on Saturday by Major General Paulino Matip, commander of the Southern Sudan Defence Forces, was unlikely just two weeks ago, when the vice presidency was held by John Garang de Mabior. Garang and Matip had a number of differences over southern issues, particularly security.Garang died in a helicopter crash on 30 July and was succeeded by Kiir, former commander of the Sudan People's Liberation Army. In his inaugural speech on Thursday, Kiir expressed his desire to reach out to southern military and political factions. Matip, who had stayed away when Garang was in power, was one of hundreds of delegates who greeted Kiir at the Khartoum airport on Wednesday, receiving a warm embrace, attended his inauguration, and met with him both Friday and Saturday.