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| Sudan 'accepts UN Darfur force' | Sudan 'accepts UN Darfur force' |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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 has 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. |
| Nearly four years of fighting in Darfur has killed some 200,000 people. | Nearly four years of fighting in Darfur has killed some 200,000 people. |
| More than two million people have been displaced. | More than two million people have been displaced. |
| The conflict began in early 2003, 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 Darfur | Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur |
| The UN has been urging Sudan to implement a plan to strengthen the existing African Union (AU) force with dozens of UN experts. | The UN has been urging Sudan to implement a plan to strengthen the existing African Union (AU) force with dozens of UN experts. |
| 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 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. |
| Mr Magli told the BBC's Newshour radio programme Sudan had accepted the plan "to beef up the under-equipped, underfunded AU forces in Darfur to show its flexibility... with a view to showing its seriousness to bring this crisis to a halt." | Mr Magli told the BBC's Newshour radio programme Sudan had accepted the plan "to beef up the under-equipped, underfunded AU forces in Darfur to show its flexibility... with a view to showing its seriousness to bring this crisis to a halt." |
| The UN envoy in Khartoum, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, told the BBC he expected to get written confirmation soon of the Sudanese government's acceptance of the deal. | |
| Under pressure | Under pressure |
| 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. | 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. |
| Last week, the US warned Sudan it would face unspecified sanctions if it did not agree to the plan by January. | Last week, the US warned Sudan it would face unspecified sanctions if it did not agree to the plan by January. |
| 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 | 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. | 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. | 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 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. |
| 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. |