In its statement, the Council welcomed the decision by the leaders of the Misseriya and Dinka communities in Abyei to work together to reduce tensions and to resolve outstanding issues. Earlier Tuesday, UNMIS welcomed an agreement on security arrangements in Abyei – concluded on 17 January between delegations from Government of Sudan and the Government of Southern Sudan – and said it stands ready to provide all the necessary support.

In his briefing to the Security Council, the Secretary-General's envoy, Haile Menkerios, said the referendum could turn out be the key to lasting peace and stability in Sudan and the region.

While describing the peaceful conclusion of the referendum as a "testament of the commitment of two parties to the agreement they signed six years ago, and an illustration of their strategic decision to uphold the CPA," Mr. Menkerios noted that the next few months will provide the basis for a transition to the post-CPA environment.

"As with any transition, it will be marked by a degree of uncertainty, considerable expectations and hopes for some, and fears of the new, the unknown for others," he said, while urging both the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in southern Sudan and the National Congress Party in northern Sudan to continue displaying the statesmanship and political courage they have demonstrated over the past few weeks.

"Whatever the referendum's outcome, both Northern and Southern Sudan will remain multiethnic, multicultural, and multi religious societies – this diversity is always the strength of nations, never their weakness," Mr. Menkerios said, adding that, "Sudan is on the eve of a new dawn, and it is going to need a heavy dose of encouragement and support from the international community to make sure committed implementation of the CPA signifies a final and definitive break with the past and opens a new era of prosperity and stability for all Sudanese."

The SSRC will announce preliminary referendum results 2 February. Barring legal challenges, the final results will be declared on 7 February, and in the event of appeals, on 14 February.

In his remarks to the Council meeting, the head of the UN panel tasked with monitoring the referendum, Mr. Mkapa, echoed the panel's reaction on Sunday, noting that his team is satisfied that the referendum process so far has been conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner that allowed the people of Southern Sudan to express their will freely.

"Both parties have given important and unequivocal public assurances about respecting the outcome of the referendum," Mr. Mkapa said. "The positive momentum achieved can only be sustained by further demonstration of goodwill and political commitment on both sides."