In the first confirmation that the meetings had started, the Saudi foreign ministry said both sides recognised the need to ease the suffering of the Sudanese people.

It said, as well as stopping the fighting, the aim was to ensure the delivery of relief supplies and the restoration of essential services.

There's been no comment from the Sudanese army or its rivals from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on the talks.

The meetings in Jeddah are the first since the fighting broke out more than three weeks ago.