The head of Sudan's army said on Thursday that he supported efforts to bring an end to a devastating war in his country as long as they brought an end to the "occupation" of territory by the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Sudan’s de facto ruler said Thursday that he wants to end the war in his country, but he said he will not sit with his rival general unless he withdraws his fighters.

The army recaptured parts of Omdurman from the RSF in a major offensive in February. It lost control of most of the capital to the paramilitary group at the start of the conflict last April and has since been unable to oust it from Khartoum.