Jolie's pregnancy was the focus of intense media speculation Jolie in Namibia

The actors named their daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, spokeswoman Cindy Guagenti said in a statement.

Pitt and Jolie moved to Namibia in April amid intense media interest in the impending birth.

Jolie, 30, has two adopted children, from Ethiopia and Cambodia. She and Pitt were linked romantically soon after filming Mr and Mrs Smith in 2005.

"The night of May 27, 2006 in Namibia, Africa, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt welcomed their daughter Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt. No further information is being given," Ms Guagenti said.

Namibia's deputy environment and tourism minister, Leon Jooste, said the baby was born at 0140 local time (0040 GMT) on Sunday.

Samuel Nuuyoma, governor of the Erongo region, said the baby was born at the Welwitschia Clinic in Walvis Bay.

A doctor at the hospital told the Associated Press news agency: "She is a healthy baby."

Media crackdown

The couple's hotel is protected by green screens on the beach

It has been reported that the first picture of the baby would be sold for up to $3 million (£1.6m), with the proceeds being given to children's charity Unicef and other projects in Africa.

However, Ms Guagenti has said no photographs would be released.

The government of Namibia helped Pitt and Jolie in their quest for privacy by refusing entry to reporters wanting to cover the baby's birth without the couple's written permission.

A South African photographer was arrested on Wednesday for a second time after he tried to take pictures of the couple at a local restaurant, according to reports. Others have been asked to leave the country.

The beach by the hotel where the couple have been staying - in the village of Langstrand - has been surrounded with large green barriers, while bodyguards and undercover police officers are patrolling the area.

'Heavy-handed'

Country profile: Namibia

The BBC's Frauke Jensen in the country's capital, Windhoek, said the security operation was unprecedented.

A local human rights group has accused bodyguards and police of using "heavy-handed tactics" to keep the paparazzi at bay.

Sawkopmund municipality spokesman Freddi Kaukunga said: "We are proud that such a world-famous actress like Angelina Jolie chose to give birth to her first child in our area.

"We wish mother and daughter good health and a continued further stay here."

He added the child would now be considered a Namibian citizen.

Erongo governor Mr Nuuyoma said the couple planned to stay in the country for the time being.

Pitt, 42, divorced actress Jennifer Aniston last October, while Jolie - star of the Tomb Raider movies - was previously married to actors Billy-Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.