A joint statement said: "We recognise that two million babies born every year in the developing world die on the first day of their lives.

"These children can be saved, but only if governments around the world make it a priority."

Hospital donation

Marc Kurschner, a senior vice president of photo agency Wire Image, said prices for exclusive photos of celebrity families had soared in the last few years.

Getty did not reveal details of the licensing deal, when the pictures were taken or how publication rights were being offered to newspapers and magazines.

The couple recently said they would donate $300,000 (£160,000) towards maternity equipment in Namibia.

The money will be spent on treating new babies at state hospitals in two towns in the southern African country.

Jolie and Pitt were linked romantically soon after filming Mr and Mrs Smith in 2005.

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.

Jolie, 30, already has two adopted children - Cambodian-born son Maddox, 4, and daughter Zahara.

Last year Pitt announced his intention to become adoptive father to Jolie's children.

BBC NEWS.