Mediators at peace talks between Sudan's government and southern rebels say the two sides will sign a permanent cease-fire on Friday.

Negotiators say the deal will be signed at 1200 GMT (3:00 p.m. local time) in the Kenyan town of Naivasha, where peace talks have yielded several partial agreements.

However, mediators say the permanent truce will not be a final deal to end 21 years of civil war. They say a comprehensive accord will likely be signed in early January.

Both the Sudanese government and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army have promised to conclude a final settlement by the end of this year.

Meanwhile, South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki arrived in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, Thursday. He is expected to hold talks with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on the peace negotiations.