The new leader of southern Sudan, Sudanese Vice President Salva Kiir, said yesterday he wanted to bring more northern opposition groups into a new north-south government in Khartoum. Kiir, chosen as leader of the former rebel Sudan Peopleâs Liberation Movement (SPLM) after John Garang died in a helicopter crash in July, began his first official trip abroad by meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. He assured Egypt that he was not a secessionist and would work to ensure that Egyptâs southern neighbor stays united.Sudanese unity is the main aim of Cairoâs Sudan policy because of Egyptâs dependence on the waters of the Nile, all of which flow through its southern neighbor. Kiir is expected to have meetings in Cairo with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), an opposition coalition of which the SPLM was part until it signed a peace deal with the Khartoum government in January. The largest remaining group in the NDA is the Democratic Unionist Party, traditionally close to Egypt and one of the largest parties in the Arab north of Sudan. âWe are working hard to bring on board the rest of the members of the NDA who have not yet joined the government,â Kiir told a news conference after seeing Mubarak. âSo whatever agreement that weâll sign here will be implemented,â he added. The formation of the new coalition government, which became possible after the January peace deal, was delayed after Garangâs death on July 30. Last week, an official from the former rebel group said it may be announced by Sept. 7.