South Sudan peace possible without rebel chief: diplomat

The absence of South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar should not delay the implementation of a peace deal, an envoy to the UN Security Council said on Monday. Former vice president and rebel leader Machar is undergoing medical treatment in Khartoum after being chased from South Sudan's capital in July by forces loyal to President Salva Kiir. Machar has since been replaced by former ally Taban Deng Gai.