S. Sudan Offers Cautious Welcome to Sudan's Abyei Pullout

South Sudan offered a cautious welcome Wednesday to foe Sudan's pullout of troops from the contested border region of Abyei, a year after Khartoum's army stormed the area forcing thousands to flee.

"We welcome of course the move by the Republic of Sudan... it's a sign of peace," said Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin.

However, he was still hesitant of Khartoum's motives and whether the pullout was total, despite confirmation by the United Nations of the withdrawal.

"If they have taken this decision, we will see... we are always aware Sudan's government says something else and does something else," he added.

The U.N. said Sudanese troops had pulled out from Abyei on Tuesday, as top negotiators for Sudan and South Sudan met in Addis Ababa for their first talks since the two countries came to the brink of war in April.

South Sudan had already pulled its security forces out of Abyei in line with a U.N. Security Council demand for both sides to demilitarize the territory.

Abyei is one of the key disputes between Sudan and South Sudan, which have been fighting each other along their undemarcated border.

Sudanese troops seized the region in May 2011, forcing some 110,000 people to flee southwards, where the majority remains in impoverished camps.

Abyei was one of a series of key issues -- including their common border, oil transit fees and citizenship -- that were left undecided when the two split in July.

Sudan and South Sudan fought a 1983-2005 war that left more than two million people dead.