"The senior observers of both parties have confirmed that the Sudan Armed Forces and the SPLA will comply with the tasks laid upon them by the senior representatives who met in Naivasha (Kenya), on January 9, 2005," said UN force commander Major-General Fazle Elahi Akbar, who chaired the meeting.

"There is much to be done in the months and years ahead by this committee, and the organizations that my fellow committee members represent, to ensure that the people of Sudan are able to enjoy the peace and prosperity that they deserve."

The new committee is also to oversee the deployment of a 10,000-strong UN peacekeeping force which began arriving in south Sudan last month.