Former South African president Thabo Mbeki who is mediating talks between Sudan's government and rebel groups said negotiations have adjourned after five days and will restart within three weeks.

The talks in Addis Ababa included representatives of Sudan's government, the SPLM-North rebels from Blue Nile and South Kordofan states, and the SLM-MM and JEM rebels of Darfur.

"What has happened is that in both tracks...dealing with the two areas and the track dealing with Darfur, the negotiations have been able to identify areas of agreement and areas of difference which has created the possibility for them to make the necessary preparations to take the next step for the better isolation and better understanding on what divides them," Mbeki said.

The South African statesman said new thinking is needed to ensure progress and commended all groups for their seriousness in the latest round of talks.

Mbeki said the groups will return home to reflect and consult with their constituencies but should remain in contact with each other and the mediators. He said the next meeting may take pace on 7 December, coinciding with a prepatory meeting of Sudan's National Dialogue process.

He said he expects the next round of talks to produce actual results.