Sudan rebels claim new gains

The main rebel group in southern Sudan, the Sudan People's Liberation Army, says it has captured a strategic government town and has inflicted heavy casualties on government forcres.

The group claims to have captured the town of Deim Zubeir, about 1,100km south of Khartoum on Tuesday.

It said that rebel fighters ambushed two army units.

However, the Sudanese government says that fighting for the town is still going on after rebels had attacked government positions.

The SPLA has been fighting for more autonomy for the south's Christian population since 1983.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service