Council members on Wednesday reviewed the results of last month's vote, with more than 98 percent of ballots cast for independence. That means Africa's largest nation will be divided in two and Southern Sudan will become the world's newest country in July.

German Ambassador Peter Wittig and other council members are congratulating all Sudanese parties, but say good relations between the new neighbors will be necessary.

Wittig also says that ongoing violence in Sudan's Darfur region should not be forgotten amid news of the successful vote.