Sudan nears peace deal with rebels

[Darranar]

Sudan's government and southern rebels have resolved final disputes in peace talks, clearing major hurdles blocking a comprehensive accord to end 21 years of civil war.

Kenya's Foreign Ministry confirmed the news on Tuesday and said there had been "a major breakthrough".

A ministry spokeswoman said Khartoum and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) planned to sign several protocols at a ceremony on Wednesday in the Kenyan town of Naivasha.

She said the two parties had settled the status of three disputed areas - the Nuba Mountains, the Southern Blue Nile and Abyei - and agreed on how to share power once Africa's longest-running conflict comes to an end.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FDE2C9B4-CB75-4408-B570-9A06E641DD50.htm