A Sudanese official says Sudan will immediately release loaded oil tankers it has detained in its port and wants to end a dispute over payments for oil with its neighbor South Sudan.

Landlocked South Sudan began halting oil production last week after accusing Sudan of stealing $815 million worth of the south's oil and detaining the oil vessels in Port Sudan.

Sayed al-Khatib, spokesman of Sudan's negotiation team, says Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir decided Saturday to "release the vessels detained in Port Sudan as soon as possible".

Al-Khatib also says Bashir is ready to sign an agreement with South Sudan's president Salva Kiir "by the end of today".