DHAKA: The government and rebels in South Sudan have agreed to end fighting and form a transitional government within 60 days. 

The regional IGAD bloc, mediating the conflict, has threatened sanctions if they fail to abide by the agreement.

It follows a rare meeting between President Salva Kiir and rebel chief Riek Machar in Addis Ababa of Ethiopia, says BBC. 

Previous deals to end the violence have been broken by both sides, compounding the worsening humanitarian crisis. 

Thousands have now died in the conflict that started as a political dispute between Kiir and Machar, his sacked deputy, but escalated into ethnic violence. 

More than a million people have fled their homes since fighting erupted last December.

BDST: 0906 HRS, JUN 11, 2014