107 Sudanese military personnel and 18 civilians arrived in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Sunday after they were released by the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector.

Ahmed Bilal Osman, Sudan's information minister and government spokesman, declared the government's welcome of their release.

"The government regards this move as a good gesture by the SPLM/northern sector and a step that helps boost the peace efforts," said Osman at a press conference at Khartoum airport.

Rene Gerard, the representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross, also welcomed their release and reunion with families.

The SPLM/northern sector, which has been fighting the central government at Blue Nile and South Kordofan areas since 2011, announced on Saturday that it had released government army prisoners of war.

So far, 10 rounds of peace talks between the Sudanese government and the SPLM/northern sector have been held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, but all failed to end the conflict in the two areas. Endit

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