The head of the committee responsible for the bill, Abdel Aziz Shiddu, said they would include the leader of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army, John Garang, and the former prime minister, Sadiq al-Mahdi.

Mr Shiddu said their safe passage would be guaranteed.

He said public discussions of the proposed legislation would be held twice a week.

A draft law allowing what are described as political associations was passed by the cabinet earlier this week, but still needs parliamentary approval.

Opposition groups have said an interim government which includes them should be set up instead.

US call for resolve

15 years of famine and civil war have taken their toll

The development comes a day after US State Department spokesman James Rubin warned that "the cycle of humanitarian disasters" was likely to continue" unless the Sudanese Government and rebel groups showed political resolve to end the African nation's 15-year civil war.

He said the continuation of a ceasefire between the government and rebels was "crucial" in allowing the delivery of relief supplies to the victims of the famine.