More than 200 dead in south Sudan clashes - minister

"Two hundred and one people were killed and 109 were wounded. Most were civilians including women, children and priests ... and people like that," the south's minister of humanitarian affairs, James Kok, told Reuters.

Kok, who had just returned from the scene of the fighting in Jonglei's Fangak county, said an additional 10 people later died in hospital. His figures did not include casualties among the attacking militias.

South Sudan's army said forces loyal to George Athor, a former senior army officer who launched a revolt after losing in last year's elections, carried out a series of attacks in Jonglei on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

It earlier said 105 people died, including more than 30 of George Athor's men. Athor was not immediately available for comment.

The violence has reignited concerns for the security of the region where voters last month overwhelmingly voted to declare independence from the north in a referendum.

French oil group Total leads a consortium controlling a largely unexplored oil concession in Jonglei.

(Reporting by Jeremy Clarke; writing by Andrew Heavens; editing by Giles Elgood)