Formal peace talks between South Sudan's government and rebels are set to open Monday in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, delegates and diplomats said.
The talks, brokered by the East African regional bloc IGAD and aimed at ending three weeks of unrest in South Sudan, are set to start at 3:00pm (1200 GMT), Ethiopian government spokesman Getachew Reda said.
Delegates from both sides confirmed the schedule had been fixed after days of wrangling over protocol and other disagreements.
"I am optimistic. Our delegation is going in with an open mind," rebel delegate Mabior Garang said.
However he added that the rebels were "suspicious of the sincerity of the government."
"They keep shifting the goalposts and are adamant on not releasing detainees, but we should first get to the table and discuss a cessation of hostilities," he added.
Government delegation spokesman Michael Makuei confirmed the planned start time but made no further comment.
A key sticking point has been rebel and international demands that the South Sudanese government release 11 officials close to rebel leader Riek Machar so they can participate in the talks, aimed at putting in place a truce as well as ceasefire-monitoring mechanisms.
The conflict in South Sudan erupted on December 15, pitting army units loyal to President Salva Kiir against a loose alliance of ethnic militia forces and mutinous army commanders nominally headed by Riek Machar, a former vice president who was sacked last July.
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In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 and released by the World Food Programme (WFP), a woman and child sit in the shade next to a box of food assistance they have received in the UN compound where they have sought shelter in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/WFP, George Fominyen)
In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 and released by the World Food Programme (WFP), a displaced woman walks with a box of food assistance on her head from a food distribution centre at a U.N. compound in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/WFP, George Fominyen)
In this photo taken Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 and released by the World Food Programme (WFP), a displaced woman walks with a box of food assistance on her head from a food distribution centre at a U.N. compound in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/WFP, George Fominyen)
Relieved Kenyans leave an airplane after being evacuated from South Sudan by the Kenyan Defence Forces at Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 and released by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, nationals from Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea are evacuated by UN helicopter to Juba from Bentiu, in oil-rich Unity state, in South Sudan. (AP Photo/UNMISS, Anna Adhikari)
In this photo taken Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2013 and released by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013, a displaced woman stands by her washing at the U.N. compound where she has sought shelter in Bentiu, in oil-rich Unity state, in South Sudan. (AP Photo/UNMISS, Anna Adhikari)
In this image released by the United Nations Mission Juba, civilians arrive at the compound of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), adjacent to Juba International Airport, to take refuge Wednesday, Dec. 18 , 2013, in Juba, South Sudan.(AP Photo/UNMISS, Rolla Hinedi)
In this image released by the United Nations Mission Juba, civilians sit after arriving at the compound of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), adjacent to Juba International Airport, to take refuge Wednesday, Dec. 18 , 2013, in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/UNMISS, Rolla Hinedi)
In this image released by the United Nations Mission Juba, United Nations soldiers stand guard as civilians gather at the compound of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), adjacent to Juba International Airport, to take refuge, Wednesday , Dec. 18 , 2013, in Juba, South Sudan. (AP Photo/UNMISS, Rolla Hinedi)
People arrive to seek refuge in the UNMISS compound in Juba, on December 18, 2013. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, a United Nation soldier stands guard as civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi)
People arrive to seek refuge in the UNMISS compound in Juba, on December 18, 2013. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
People arrive to seek refuge in the UNMISS compound in Juba, on December 18, 2013. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
People arrive to seek refuge in the UNMISS compound in Juba, on December 18, 2013. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi)
In this handout image from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, Civilians arrive at UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi)
In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi)
In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, a United Nation soldier stands guard as civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi)
Picture taken on December 17, 2013 shows displaced people walking inside the UNMISS compound on the outskirts on Juba following recent fightings in the capital. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
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