Officials from Sudan and South Sudan have met for talks in Addis Ababa for the first time since heavy fighting broke out last week.

The two countries are in dispute over the oil-rich regions on their border.

Senior ministers and generals from each side met behind closed doors, with African Union negotiators waiting outside initially, the BBC understands.

The clashes are the most serious since South Sudan seceded from Sudan last year.

The BBC's James Copnall, who is in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, says these negotiations are about security, with the focus on reducing the immediate tension.

Sudan's Defense Minister Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein emerged from the talks with his South Sudan counterpart John Kong Nyuon, saying it had been a "good meeting".

South Sudan's Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told reporters that they were "determined to ensure a return to war is avoided".

PHOTO CAPTION

Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir (C) smiles with South Sudan's delegation member Deng Alor (2nd R) after a meeting with head of South Sudan's delegation Pagan Amum, in Khartoum March 22, 2012.

BBC