Sudan, South Sudan say to settle disputes jointly

KHARTOUM - Sudan and South Sudan on Sunday agreed to form joint committees to settle all the outstanding issues between them according to specific time frame.

"We have agreed to form joint committees to reach solutions to all the outstanding issues within a specific time ceiling," said Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at a joint press conference with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit here Sunday.

"We expect to reach satisfactory solutions very soon. There is a joint will to overcome all standing barriers," he added.

Al-Bashir further described Kiir's visit to Khartoum as a new beginning for the ties between the two countries, pointing to the historical bonds linking the two peoples.

Kiir, for his part, said his government was ready to reach solutions to all the outstanding issues between the two countries, including the security, economic and border issues as well as disputes regarding the Abyei area.

He expressed confidence that the two sides would resolve all the issues and sign a final agreement very soon.

Kiir arrived in Khartoum Saturday on his first visit to Sudan since the independence of South Sudan in July this year.

He discussed with al-Bashir a number of outstanding issues between the two countries, including oil revenues sharing, border demarcation and disputed Abyei issues.

Sudan and South Sudan earlier agreed to open 10 passages on their joint border to facilitate the movement of citizens after the border was closed before the declaration of South Sudan's independence.