Sudan's government and southern rebels on Friday signed an agreement, pledging to reach a final peace deal by the end of the year.
The agreement, dubbed Declaration on the Conclusion of IGAD Negotiations on Peace in the Sudan was signed by representatives of the Sudanese government and the main southern rebel, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army.
The signing ceremony took place in the UN complex in Nairobi during the special session of the UN Security Council, after which the council is expected to adopt a resolution to end conflicts in the war-ravaged African country.
The parties declare their commitment in the agreement that they will "expeditiously complete negotiations on the two annexed on Ceasefire Agreement and Implementations Modalities so as to conclude and sign the Comprehensive Peace Agreement no later than Dec. 31, 2004."
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said an agreement in the south would help to reverse the crisis in Darfur in western Sudan.
The Security Council president, US Ambassador to the UN John Danforth, said Thursday after this session's opening, that all 15 members now supported the text of a resolution aimed at bringing peace to Sudan, which would be formally adopted on Friday.
For the past two years, the government and the southern rebels have held talks in Kenya, aimed at ending their 21-year civil war.
A few months ago, the two sides agreed to share power and oil resources. But a final deal is yet to be signed.