JUBA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- South Sudanese President Salva Kiir on Monday reaffirmed his commitment to holding the country's first national elections in December as scheduled.

Kiir made the remarks in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, during a meeting with the committee responsible for coordinating inter-party dialogue. He said that all efforts should be focused on making December elections a reality.

According to a statement issued by the Presidency after the meeting, Kiir specifically instructed relevant financial institutions to urgently release necessary funds to support the electoral process as preparations continue for the polls.

"During the meeting, the committee presented a budget to support the work of electoral institutions. The president instructed the committee to proceed with efforts to mobilize the required resources," the Presidency said.

South Sudan plans to hold its first post-independence general elections in December as part of the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. ■