UN says mass grave of 34 found in South Sudan

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Amid the eruption of violence along ethnic lines in South Sudan, U.N. investigators discovered a mass grave in a rebel-held city, the United Nations said today as a possible opening occurred for negotiations to avert civil war in the world's newest country.

The bodies were found in Bentiu: one grave with 14 bodies and a site nearby with 20 bodies, said U.N. human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani.

The government minister of information Michael Makuei Lueth said Bentiu is under the control of rebels loyal to the country's former vice president, Riek Machar, indicating they were responsible for the killings.

The dead reportedly were ethnic Dinka who belonged to the Sudan People's Liberation Army, said Shamdasani, referring to government military forces. South Sudan President Salva Kiir is Dinka while Machar is Nuer.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke on the phone today with Machar, who said he told Kerry he is ready for talks with Kiir, likely to take place in Ethiopia.