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Sudanese accept oil border ruling Sudanese accept oil border ruling
(10 minutes later)
North and south Sudan say they will accept a ruling by judges in The Hague to award a large oilfield to the north.North and south Sudan say they will accept a ruling by judges in The Hague to award a large oilfield to the north.
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 redrew the boundaries of Abyei region, which became a flashpoint during a 22-year-long war between north and south.
The judges decided not to abide by the borders proposed after the 2005 peace deal, which the north had rejected.The judges decided not to abide by the borders proposed after the 2005 peace deal, which the north had rejected.
Instead it ruled that several areas - including the Heglig oilfied - were not part of Abyei.Instead it ruled that several areas - including the Heglig oilfied - were not part of Abyei.
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.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.
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.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.
By reducing the size of Abyei compared with the 2005 proposals, the court awarded more land and mineral wealth to the north.By reducing the size of Abyei compared with the 2005 proposals, the court awarded more land and mineral wealth to the north.
'Victory for peace''Victory for peace'
Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed, the head of the northern government delegation, called the decision a victory.Dirdeiry Mohamed Ahmed, the head of the northern government delegation, called the decision a victory.
"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."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.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."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.
UN peacekeepers beefed up their presence in Abyei amid fears that a controversial ruling could spark violence.UN peacekeepers beefed up their presence in Abyei amid fears that a controversial ruling could spark violence.
The BBC's James Copnall in the capital, Khartoum, says the area is home to an Arab group of cattle herders, known as the Misseriya - loyal to the north, and the Dinka Ngok, part of the largest ethnic group of the south.
There is competition for resources like land for grazing and water and the divisions can easily be exploited, analysts say.
Both sides were used as proxy armies during the civil war.
The conflict between the mainly Muslim north and the Christian and animist south ended in 2005, after claiming 1.5 million lives.