Sudanese officials say two people were killed in a raid on a militant Islamist training camp in the country's southeast.

Sinnar state governor Ahmed Abbas says two extremists were killed and four police officers were injured during the two-day raid that was launched Friday.

At least 20 people were also arrested, including the group's leader.

No other details were available, but authorities say the group had set up camp inside Dinder National Park, a vast wildlife preserve which stretches across several Sudanese states to the border with Ethiopia.

During the 1990s Sudan was known to provide refuge to militants, including former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. The United States has listed Sudan as a state sponsor of terrorism and has impose trade sanctions since 1997.

Sudan has called for talks on ending the embargo and removing it from the terrorism list.