North, south Sudan reach Abyei pullout deal

The UN said Sunday in a statement that representatives agreed to deploy a joint north-south force in Abyei and withdraw forces stoking tensions in the area as Southern Sudan prepares for its independence in July. The UN says at least 14 people died in a clash between armed forces in the hotly contested Abyei area earlier this month.
Voters in the oil-rich south voted overwhelmingly for independence in a January poll. But the status of Abyei has not been decided, and the International Crisis Group says “Abyei is on the brink of dangerous new conflict.”