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LOS ANGELES - POP singer Britney Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline have settled their long and bitter custody battle over their two sons, but terms of the deal remained confidential, lawyers for both said on Friday.
Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told several media organisations late on Thursday that Federline retained sole custody of Sean Preston, 2-1/2, and Jayden James, 22 months, but outside a Los Angeles courthouse following a closed hearing on Friday, he declined to discuss custodial issues.
'Kevin will retain sole legal and physical custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James. Britney will continue to have visitation rights which may increase over time,' Mr Kaplan told OK! magazine.
But outside the court when asked about custody, he told reporters, 'I'm not going to comment on the terms of an agreement that has not yet been made an order of the court.'
Likewise, Spears' attorney Laura Wasser also would not comment on settlement terms, but she did call the deal 'a victory for the entire family' that they can now avoid a custody trial that had been set for August.
'I think that they've finally figured out a way to co-parent to make sure that their kids benefit as a result of that,' Ms Wasser said.
Mr Kaplan said Federline was 'extremely happy' that the custody battle was over.
Court spokesman Allan Parachini said the settlement had not yet been officially filed, so he did not know details.
Spears lost custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James in January after two brief hospitalisations for psychiatric evaluation.
Spears, 26, and Federline, 30, broke up in late 2006, starting a widely watched divorce, which was finalised last year, and custody battle over their two children. -- REUTERS
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