United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed Sunday's agreement reached between the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, in which the parties have agreed on a roadmap to resolve the Abyei dispute, including through arbitration.

United Nations Spokeswoman Michele Montas says the Secretary-General particularly welcomes the commitment of the two parties to allow the UN Mission in Sudan unrestricted access and freedom of movement in the Abyei area"

"The Secretary-General assures the parties and the people of Sudan that the United Nations will continue to provide assistance to the tens of thousands of people displaced after fighting broke out in Abyei last month. It also stands ready to assist their return to Abyei, once security arrangements are put in place to enable a safe and dignified return."

The spokeswoman says the Secretary-General urges the two parties to implement this agreement in full to ensure a final resolution of this most serious challenge to Sudan's Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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