Sudan and South Sudan sign peace treaty

Sudan and South Sudan have signed a "treaty of non-aggression" on their disputed border following talks in Addis Ababa where African Union-led negotiations between the two sides are being held.

The deal was signed by Thomas Douth, the head of South Sudan's intelligence bureau, and Mohammed Atta, Sudan's director of national intelligence and security.

"The two countries agree to non-aggression and co-operation," Thabo Mbeki, the chief negotiator and former president of South Africa, told reporters on Friday.

According to the pact, the two sides agreed "respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and to "refrain from launching any attack, including bombardment".

Border tensions between the two countries have mounted since South Sudan split from Sudan in July, becoming the world's newest nation.

Negotiations between the two former civil war foes have been marred by eruptions of violence along the border, including in the contested Abyei and Blue Nile states.

South Sudan took three quarters of Sudan's oil when it gained independence, but all pipeline and export facilities are controlled by the north.

The south halted oil production last month, after Juba accused Khartoum of stealing $815m worth of crude oil.

Friday's agreement aims to establish a monitoring mechanism to allow the two sides to lodge complaints if border disputes erupt.

The negotiations are expected to continue on Saturday, focusing on oil.