Last Darfur rebels leave capital, officials say

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - The last of the Darfur rebel forces left Sudan's capital on Sunday after unprecedented battles in the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman, a government official and a security source said.

"All rebel forces have now left the capital," Mutrif Siddig, the under-secretary at Sudan's Foreign Ministry, told Reuters.

A security source from Umm Bedda, the furthest outlying reach of west Omdurman, said rebels had retreated to some 70 km (45 miles) outside the city.

Searches continued inside Khartoum for individuals thought to be insiders due to meet the rebels who fought their way into Omdurman with about 70 vehicles on Saturday afternoon.

"And even those are being chased down by security forces," Siddig added. Dozens of people were being arrested throughout the capital.

No one was available to comment from the Darfur rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM). On Sunday morning, a JEM commander told Reuters they were in more outlying areas of Omdurman. But no shooting has been heard there since late morning.

(Reporting by Opheera McDoom)