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New borders for Sudan oil region Sudanese accept oil border ruling
(40 minutes later)
Judges in The Hague have ruled that the boundaries of Sudan's disputed oil-rich region of Abyei should be redrawn. North and south Sudan say they will accept a ruling by judges in The Hague to award a large oilfield to the north.
The region is claimed by both north and south Sudan, and became a flashpoint in a long-running civil conflict. The Permanent Court of Arbitration redrew the boundaries of Abyei region, which became a flashpoint during a 22-year-long war between north and south.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration decided not to accept the boundaries drawn up as part of a 2005 peace deal, which were rejected by the north. The judges decided not to abide by the borders proposed after the 2005 peace deal, which the north had rejected.
It ruled that the eastern and western borders of Abyei should be redrawn, reducing the size of the region. Instead it ruled that several areas - including the Heglig oilfied - were not part of Abyei.
The effect of the ruling on the region's northern boundary is not immediately clear. Although The Hague court was ruling on where Abyei's borders lie rather than who owns the land, analysts say the ruling was crucial in deciding the ownership of the oilfields.
Fears of violence Abyei's inhabitants will be asked in a referendum in 2011 whether they want to be a part of north or south Sudan - and analysts say they are likely to opt for a union with the south.
The Hague court decided on where Abyei's borders lie rather than who owns the land. By reducing the size of Abyei compared with the 2005 proposals, the court awarded more land and mineral wealth to the north.
Analysts say the size of Abyei is crucial as its inhabitants will be asked in a referendum in 2011 whether they want to be a part of north or south Sudan - and are likely to opt for a union with the south. 'Victory for peace'
The north had rejected the boundaries proposed by the 2005 peace deal because they were thought to make the region too big. Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed, the head of the northern government delegation, called the decision a victory.
UN peacekeepers have beefed up their presence in Abyei amid fears that a controversial ruling could spark violence. "We welcome the fact that the oilfields are now excluded from the Abyei area, particularly the Heglig oil field," the Associated Press quoted him as saying.
The south's delegate, Riek Machar, described the decision as "balanced" and said he was committed to respecting it.
"I think this is going to consolidate peace in Sudan. It is a victory for the Sudanese people and a victory for peace," he said.
The issue was referred to The Hague court last year after clashes broke out in Abyei town, killing about 100 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee.The issue was referred to The Hague court last year after clashes broke out in Abyei town, killing about 100 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee.
The main parties in north and south Sudan have pledged to abide by the court ruling. UN peacekeepers beefed up their presence in Abyei amid fears that a controversial ruling could spark violence.