Khartoum, 17 Feb-(ANA)-Sudan's most active rebel group has signed an agreement which paves the way for broader peace talks aimed at ending the six-year conflict in Darfur.
The declaration of intent was sealed a day after the deal was announced between Darfur's Justice and Equality Movement and the Khartoum government.
The accord was struck in Qatar, which has been mediating a week of talks.
It includes an end to attacks on more than two million people in refugee camps and an exchange of prisoners.
But hanging over the agreement is a proposed indictment from the International Criminal Court of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir for alleged crimes.
And other rebel groups are refusing to talk to the government.
The signing between the Sudanese government and the Jem rebels was announced by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim al-Thani.
"I am very optimistic, as both sides are determined to end this conflict," the Qatari PM was quoted by AFP news agency as saying at a news conference after the signing. (ANA)
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