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Sudan 'accepts UN Darfur force' Sudan 'accepts UN Darfur force'
(20 minutes later)
Sudan has confirmed its agreement in principle to the deployment of UN troops as part of an expanded peacekeeping force in Darfur province. Sudan will agree in principle to the deployment of UN troops as part of an expanded peacekeeping force in Darfur, a top Sudanese envoy has confirmed.
Sudanese negotiator Sadig al-Magli told the BBC the deal to set up a joint UN-African Union force showed his government's commitment to peace. Negotiator Sadig al-Magli told the BBC the deal showed his government's commitment to peace - although he said the size of the force was not settled.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir had until now opposed any involvement of the UN in the western region. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has until now opposed any involvement of the UN in the western region.
Fighting in Darfur has killed some 200,000 people since early 2003. Nearly four years of fighting in Darfur has killed some 200,000 people.
More than two million have been displaced. More than two million people have been displaced.
The conflict began when a rebellion by local groups triggered a counter-offensive by the army and government-backed Arab militias. The conflict began in early 2003, when a rebellion by local groups triggered a counter-offensive by the army and government-backed Arab militias.
Q&A: Peacekeeping in DarfurQ&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur
Last week, the US warned Sudan it would face unspecified sanctions if it did not agree to an international peacekeeping force for Darfur by January. The UN has been urging Sudan to implement a plan to strengthen the existing African Union with dozens of UN experts.
On Friday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said Sudan was set to approve the deployment of a joint UN-African Union force in Darfur. The force is then to be expanded into a hybrid force, with UN troops providing logistical and other support. The aim is for most troops to come from African countries.
The outgoing UN chief added he also expected Mr Bashir to agree to a ceasefire and moves to restart talks with Darfur political groups. Last week, the US warned Sudan it would face unspecified sanctions if it did not agree to the plan by January.
'Supporting role' The UN envoy in Khartoum, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, told the BBC he expected to get written confirmation of the Sudanese government's acceptance of the deal on Saturday.
The BBC's Jonathan Beale says Sudan appears to have bowed to considerable international pressure. Under pressure
He adds that there are still areas of contention - Sudan wants the AU to stay in command of the force, and Khartoum has not said how many UN troops will be allowed on the ground - but this does appear to be a step forward. On Friday, outgoing UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he believed the president would also agree to a ceasefire and moves to restart talks with Darfur political groups.
As of now it is still mainly the African troops, the African peacekeeping troops who are going to be the main ones handling the situation John Ucek, Sudanese ambassador in Washington As of now it is still mainly the African troops, the African peacekeeping troops who are going to be the main ones handling the situation Sudanese ambassador in Washington
Correspondents say Sudan appears to have bowed to considerable international pressure.
But there are still areas of contention - Sudan wants the AU to stay in command of the force, and Khartoum has not said how many UN troops will be allowed on the ground.
The UN had wanted to deploy an extra 20,000 peacekeepers to bolster the existing AU force of 7,000 soldiers.The UN had wanted to deploy an extra 20,000 peacekeepers to bolster the existing AU force of 7,000 soldiers.
The Sudanese ambassador in Washington, John Ucek, told the BBC that the UN force, whatever its size, would have a supporting role - and that the AU peacekeepers would be in charge. The Sudanese ambassador in Washington told the BBC that the UN force, whatever its size, would have a supporting role - and that the AU peacekeepers would be in charge.
"We had differences over three things - that is the command over the force, the nature of the force and the issue of the envoy. And these are the things we have cleared up now.
"The fact that we are going to have a UN peacekeeping force as a support to the AU peacekeeping force, there is no difference in our position.
"As of now it is still mainly the African troops, the African peacekeeping troops who are going to be the main ones handling the situation. The UN is still in support.
"Whatever their number is, they are still there to support the African Union peacekeeping force."
Violence has escalated sharply in Darfur in the last few weeks.Violence has escalated sharply in Darfur in the last few weeks.
Late last week, the AU blamed the deteriorating security situation on the re-emergence of the pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias, and urged Khartoum to disarm the groups.Late last week, the AU blamed the deteriorating security situation on the re-emergence of the pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias, and urged Khartoum to disarm the groups.
Aid agencies have withdrawn 250 workers this month, leaving many in Darfur vulnerable.Aid agencies have withdrawn 250 workers this month, leaving many in Darfur vulnerable.