CAIRO, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Egypt welcomed on Wednesday a cease-fire deal signed by the government of South Sudan and the opposition at the talks hosted by Sudan.

In a statement, Egyptian foreign ministry said the agreement is an important step in restoring security, especially by stipulating a cease-fire within 72 hours of the signing of the agreement.

The ministry also hailed the agreement's provisions which order the separation of warring forces, the opening of routes of relief, as well as the release of former prisoners and detainees.

The statement praised Sudan's efforts in sponsoring the agreement, highly appreciating the endeavors of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development in Africa and the African Union to reach a political settlement to the crisis.

On Wednesday, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar, a representative of the political detainees in South Sudan, and representatives for other South Sudan opposition groups signed the agreement during ceremony at Sudan's Presidential Palace in Khartoum.

South Sudan has been suffering from a civil war since December 2013 between the forces loyal to Kiir and his former Vice President Machar.