Sudan and South Sudan are likely to finalize an agreement over payments for use of Sudan 's oil infrastructure by Monday evening or Tuesday, a South Sudanese spokesman said.

The deal is one step toward allowing the resumption of oil shipments through Sudanese pipelines and ports, but South Sudan said it won't resume oil production until the two sides reach a comprehensive agreement on border disputes and other outstanding issues.

"Even we reach a deal over oil, it doesn't mean we're in total agreement with Khartoum ," Atif Kiir, spokesman for South Sudan 's delegation said.

Mr. Kiir said the two sides are still hashing out differences over arrears owed and the two cargoes that South Sudan says Sudan stole from the south earlier this year, but hope to come to a final deal on oil by Tuesday at the latest.

Talks over border security are continuing in Addis Ababa , and the United Nations Security Council has said the two sides have until Sept. 22 to resolve outstanding differences or face sanctions.

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