Sudan, S. Sudan Meet to Resolve Bitter Dispute

W300

Top negotiators from Sudan and rival South Sudan have met in the latest round of African Union mediated talks to resolve bitter dispute, officials said Monday.

"Yesterday we had a meeting, and we tabled our positions," said Atif Kiir, a spokesman for Juba's delegation.

The latest round of talks comes a week after Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and his South Sudanese counterpart Salva Kiir exchanged a symbolic handshake at an AU summit.

South Sudan's top negotiator Pagan Amum is expected to address the media later on Monday.

On Saturday South Sudan said it was cancelling planned face-to-face peace talks with Sudan after accusing Khartoum of launching a new air raid on its territory.

Sudan denied bombing its southern neighbor, saying it had targeted Darfuri rebels inside its own territory.

The negotiations to settle disputes stemming from the South's independence in July last year stalled in April, but resumed in May.