President Deby in Khartoum in improved relations between two countries

President Idriss Deby is in Khartoum for talks with his Sudanese counterpart in his first visit to the country since 2004. The meeting with President Omar al-Beshir comes amid a thaw in ties between the African neighbours.

Chad has long accused Sudan of supporting rebels trying to overthrow his government. Sudan claims Ndjamena is backing ethnic minority rebels in the conflict-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur.

The meeting between the two presidents is expected to help seal an accord signed last month that aims to normalise ties between the two countries.

Under the terms of the deal, Chad and Sudan agree to deploy a joint force on their border to ensure that both sides stop supporting rebels.

Improved ties between the two countries is seen as a major step towards peace in Darfur. According to UN estimates, some 300,000 people have died in the region since ethnic rebels revolted in 2003. Khartoum puts the figure much lower at 10,000.

The two countries broke off diplomatic relations in 2008 after a surprise rebel attack on the Chadian capital, Ndjamena, which almost overthrew the Deby government.

Legal teams from both countries are also expected to meet today to decide on the joint force's rules of engagement while Sudan in expected to lead the first Chadian-Sudanese border unit.