The leaders of Libya and Saudi Arabia voiced strong opposition to a divided Sudan at the second Arab-African summit, which took place in Libya on Sunday, DPA reported.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddaffi, who was hosting the summit that last took place 30 years ago, said the division of Sudan could spread like a "contagious disease" and serve as a model for other African nations reeling from internal turmoil.
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal also called against the secession of Southern Sudan.
"In our opinion neither the interest of Sudan nor those of the rival parties can be achieved by the dangerous move of division," said al-Faisal on Saturday at the opening of the summit.
Al-Faisal called for joint Arab-African cooperation and action on the issue of Sudan, warning that what happens there would affect the rest of the region.
Also present at the summit was Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, whose leadership is at odds with Southern Sudan.
Sudan's official news agency (SUNA) reported that al-Bashir told participants at the Afro-Arab summit that outstanding issues such as border demarcation, citizenship and water issues must be resolved before the referendum, scheduled for January, takes place.
Al-Bashir warned that going through with the referendum before these issues are resolved could lead to armed conflict between the North and South.
The issue of border demarcation is key because it will largely decide who controls much of Sudan's oil. A second referendum is scheduled to take place at the same time in the oil-rich Abyei, in which the state will decide if it goes with the North or South.
For his part, Arab League chief Amr Moussa was cautiously diplomatic in his remarks on Sunday at the summit, saying that the organization had invested in infrastructure projects in Southern Sudan. He stopped short of saying, though, what the League's position would be after January.
Moussa said the Arab League was committed to peace and success in Sudan "because the country's stability and security affects Africa and the Arab region."