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UK supports Darfur no-fly zone | UK supports Darfur no-fly zone |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Britain has indicated it would support a UN-backed no-fly zone over Sudan's Darfur region to prevent aerial attacks on civilians, officials say. | Britain has indicated it would support a UN-backed no-fly zone over Sudan's Darfur region to prevent aerial attacks on civilians, officials say. |
Meanwhile, the US has said it will have to consider other options if Sudan's government continues to block the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force. | Meanwhile, the US has said it will have to consider other options if Sudan's government continues to block the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force. |
A US state department spokesman refused to give any details. Sudan says it is being unfairly targeted by the West. | A US state department spokesman refused to give any details. Sudan says it is being unfairly targeted by the West. |
The UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send a team to investigate abuses. | The UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send a team to investigate abuses. |
But the world's top human rights body has refrained from criticising Sudan's government over the violence. | But the world's top human rights body has refrained from criticising Sudan's government over the violence. |
An estimated 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government. | An estimated 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the government. |
The violence has intensified despite the presence of some 7,000 African Union peacekeepers. | |
Other options | Other options |
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair, said the UK would agree to a UN-sanctioned "plan B" to impose a no-fly zone in the region. | |
Quick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur | Quick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur |
The issue was raised at a meeting between President George W Bush and Mr Blair in Washington last week. | The issue was raised at a meeting between President George W Bush and Mr Blair in Washington last week. |
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said: "We have to start thinking of other ideas on how to protect the people" from the violence in Darfur. | |
Referring to the no-fly zone, he said "Prime Minister Blair talked about it as an idea," but Mr McCormack refused to give further details. | Referring to the no-fly zone, he said "Prime Minister Blair talked about it as an idea," but Mr McCormack refused to give further details. |
The BBC State Department correspondent says other options could include a naval blockade or targeted air strikes against Sudan, but that these would need the backing of the UN Security Council. | |
Our correspondent says until now some council members, such as China, have shown little enthusiasm for increasing pressure on Sudan over Darfur. | Our correspondent says until now some council members, such as China, have shown little enthusiasm for increasing pressure on Sudan over Darfur. |
Growing urgency | Growing urgency |
Meanwhile, President Bush's special envoy to Darfur, Andrew Natsios, has just visited Khartoum for talks with Sudan President Omar al-Bashir. | |
However, the BBC's correspondent says that, while Mr Natsios said the talks had been productive, there is still no sign that Sudan's government will agree to a UN force. | However, the BBC's correspondent says that, while Mr Natsios said the talks had been productive, there is still no sign that Sudan's government will agree to a UN force. |
There is a growing sense of frustration and urgency in Washington over the situation in Darfur, he says. | There is a growing sense of frustration and urgency in Washington over the situation in Darfur, he says. |
Sudan has agreed to let the UN provide logistical support to a larger AU force, but refuses to allow UN troops into Darfur. | |
The human rights council cannot force Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops. | The human rights council cannot force Sudan to accept UN peacekeeping troops. |
But human rights groups say a resolution sending the UN's top human rights experts to Darfur to investigate would have moral authority. | But human rights groups say a resolution sending the UN's top human rights experts to Darfur to investigate would have moral authority. |
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