The civilian aircraft, carrying some 30 people including a delegation of military and political representatives, came down in the Nuba Mountains.

All are believed to have perished in the crash.

The plane was on its way to South Kordofan for an Eid al-Fitr celebration, to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Sudan's Minister of Guidance and Religious Endowments, Ghazi al-Sadiq Abdel Rahim, was among those killed.

The dead also include Justice Party Chairman Makki Ali Balayil, a South Kordofan state spokesman said.