CAR rebel groups sign peace deal in Khartoum

Warring rivals in the Central African Republic (CAR) signed a peace agreement in Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday to end the conflict in their war-torn country.

Addressing the signing ceremony, CAR President Faustin-Archange Touadera reiterated commitment of the country's rebel groups to the deal.

"We are insisting on passing the sectarian conflict and hate, so we commit ourselves to peace and implementation of this agreement," he said.

The initial agreement was signed by 14 armed groups, including Christian anti-Balaka and Muslim Seleka militias.

The final deal will be signed in CAR capital Bangui next week.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, for his part, said Khartoum will remain an honest partner of peace in CAR and other regional countries.

He called on CAR warring groups and the international community to provide support to the peace deal in the war-ravaged nation.

"The implementation and stabilization will remain to be the main challenge for the people and government of CAR as well as the region and the international community," he said.

The CAR has been wracked by violence since Seleka rebels ousted then President Francois Bozize in 2013.

Fierce fighting has continued between the Muslim Seleka and Christian anti-Balaka rebels, forcing nearly half the country's population to depend on humanitarian assistance, according to the UN.