Presidents meet over Sudan oil row

Sudan and South Sudan's presidents met for talks Friday hosted by an East African peace bloc, to resolve an oil dispute between the two former foes that is threatening fresh violence.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and the former rebel turned South Sudanese President Salva Kiir met in the Ethiopian capital, a week after the South ordered a production shutdown, accusing Khartoum of stealing its oil.

The two met alongside regional presidents of the six-member Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), said Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, the bloc's chair.

"We had informal discussions this morning to deal with the current crisis between the Republic of Southern Sudan and the Republic of Sudan," Meles said, without providing details of the discussions.

South Sudan and Sudan have been at loggerheads for months over the oil issue. This month, Juba accused Khartoum of stealing its oil, which must be exported through Sudan.

South Sudan split from Sudan in July, taking with it three quarters of the country's petroleum, but relies on the North to refine and export its oil.

Oil is the economic lifeblood for grossly underdeveloped South Sudan, accounting for more than 90 percent of its revenue.

Khartoum admits to taking some South Sudanese oil destined for export as compensation until an agreement over payment for use of the infrastructure is reached, but the South has said this is theft.

Talks between representatives of the two countries have been deadlocked.

Tensions were heightened this week when South Sudan's lead negotiator Pagan Amum said, "(we are) leaving no stone unturned until we catch these thieves, we will make them behave."