Sudan rebels target oilfields

The rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army says it has attacked several oil installations in the south.

A rebel statement said a number of oil companies in the provincial capital of Bentiu were attacked and equipment destroyed.

They said several hundred government troops were also killed during the attacks, which took place in the past week.

The rebel statement also reiterated its warning to oil companies in the area, saying they remained legitimate targets.

There has been no independent confirmation of the rebels' statement.

A recent UN report on Sudan says the conflict for secession in the south is now becoming a war for oil.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service