Bashir, Kiir Prepare for UN Talks Over Abyei Clashes

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir have both engaged in discussions with their political parties ahead of UN sponsored talks to resolve the recent clashes between government and southern troops in the disputed oil-rich Abyei region. President Bashir held court with his National Congress Party in Khartoum late Wednesday while Kiir’s Sudan People's Liberation Movement held an overnight convention in Juba. UN regional coordinator David Gressly said the talks were likely to begin Thursday. [P.E]