JUBA, Sudan – Diplomats visiting Southern Sudan say the north and south need to compromise to resolve the status of a flashpoint border region as the south prepares for independence.
Representatives from the U.S., Britain and Norway called Saturday for compromise over Abyei, where clashes have left more than 100 people dead since the south's January independence vote.
Southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly to secede from the north and is slated to become its own country in July. The future of the Abyei region, which contains oil deposits, is still being negotiated.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir recently threatened he would not recognize the new southern nation if it includes Abyei.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says the military standoff in Abyei is unacceptable and threatens peace.