Darfur peace deal by March 15 not realistic: Rebels

Darfur's main rebel group, which is due to sign a ceasefire and framework deal for peace negotiations with the Sudanese government on Tuesday, said it was not realistic to reach a final agreement by a March 15 deadline.                                           

"After the agreement is signed, the rest will come through more negotiations," said Adrees Mahmoud, a Europe-based representative of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). He was in Qatar for the signing of the deal.                                           

Asked if the March target was realistic, he said: "No. In my opinion it's too early to say that it will be ended by March or June." 

JEM is widely thought to control the biggest military insurgent force in Darfur and carried out an unprecedented attack on Khartoum in 2008.                                           

JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim and Sudanese officials agreed an initial version of the framework deal in Chad on Saturday that includes a ceasefire, plans to integrate JEM into Sudan's army and a promise to reach a final peace deal by March 15.

The final version of the framework deal is due to be signed in Qatar later on Tuesday.