Nairobi/Doha - The Sudanese government and the Darfur rebel group Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) are ready to sign an agreement Tuesday on a swap of prisoners, the Sudan Tribune reported.

The agreement between Sudan and the most active of the militia groups in western Sudan would be signed in Doha, Qatar, and would form the foundations for broader peace talks bringing in other militias, the paper said.

"This agreement is a first step which could lay the foundation for a genuine peace process," JEM spokesman Ahmed Katar said.

Under the agreement, the two sides would commit themselves to protecting the civilian population and to the forced return of Darfur refugees to their villages. The two sides would also agree to stop obstructing the work of international aid workers. (dpa)