Sudan's two main political groups in the north and south reached agreement on democratic reforms on Sunday.
The south's Sudan People's Liberation Movement joined a transitional government with President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's National Congress Party under a 2005 deal to end the longest-running civil war in Africa.
The groups agreed on terms for election laws and a referendum in 2011 on the south's independence promised in the 2005 peace deal.
"We have reached agreement on three basic laws which have caused serious disagreements between the North and the South," SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum told reporters after the groups' meeting.
Amum said agreement was also reached on a referendum on whether the disputed oil-rich province of Abyei should join the south, and on efforts to prepare residents in the border areas for the referendum.
Amum said the parties also agreed to set up joint committees to address remaining differences.
The civil war that broke out in southern Sudan has lasted for more than 20 years, claiming the lives of over 2 million people.
Sudan, run by al-Bashir since 1989, will see its first democratic presidential election next year.
Observers warned of a new armed conflict in the country if the parties fail to come to terms on reforms.
Relations between the two leading factions have been strained most recently after the government in Khartoum dispersed a protest in early December, arresting two SPLM officials and several dozen supporters.
MOSCOW, December 13 (RIA Novosti)
