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Blair demands action over Darfur Blair criticises Sudan on Darfur
(about 5 hours later)
Tony Blair has condemned the situation in Darfur, where tens of thousands of people have died in fighting, as "completely unacceptable". Sudan's government must start to "live up to its obligations" in the troubled Darfur region, Tony Blair has warned.
The prime minister questioned Sudan's rejection of a UN decision to send a 20,000-strong force to the region. The prime minister called on Sudanese leaders to stop military action in the area and said he did not understand why they had rejected plans for a UN force.
And he said the world should not "just watch as this tragedy deepens". As many as 200,000 people are thought to have died in three years of fighting and Mr Blair urged the world not to "just watch as this tragedy deepens".
An international day of events for Darfur is set for Sunday, and showbiz stars and religious leaders have called on the UK to take action. An international day of events for Darfur is planned for Sunday.
There is no definitive figure regarding the number of people who have died, although a study by US researchers this week claimed the total was 200,000. Celebrities and religious leaders have called on the UK to take action.
Other surveys have varied enormously, suggesting anything from fewer than 70,000 to more than 300,000 deaths. Sudan's government is standing in the face of united world opinion Hilary BennInternational Development Secretary
More than two million people are believed to have been displaced. In 2003, ethnic violence erupted between pro-government Arab militia and black Africans - who make up the majority of the region's population.
Rejection Since then, thousands of people have died and as many as two million have been displaced.
"Last May, we hoped the signature of the Darfur Peace Agreement by the government of Sudan and one rebel group would set Darfur on the road to peace," Mr Blair said. African Union (AU) soldiers have been policing the conflict, but they are due to leave at the end of September.
"The non-signatory rebel groups must now accept it, and the government of Sudan must stop its military campaign." The UN intended to send a 20,000-strong peacekeeping force to replace the AU soldiers, but the Khartoum government has refused to accept the plan.
He went on: "I do not understand the government of Sudan's rejection of the UN force, or its threat to withdraw its welcome from the AU [African Union]." UK's pledge
Mr Blair described the coming weeks as being "crucial" for SudanThis did not match the commitment to peace the government had shown in May by signing the peace agreement, he added. Mr Blair said he had thought the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May by the government and one of the rebel groups would "set Darfur on the road to peace".
"I am committed to stepping up international efforts to bring a change of mind and action from the government of Sudan. "The non-signatory rebel groups must now accept [the agreement] and the government of Sudan must stop its military campaign," he said.Mr Blair described the coming weeks as being "crucial" for Sudan
"I have already talked to [Chinese] Premier Wen and President George Bush about Darfur in the last few days." "I do not understand the government of Sudan's rejection of the UN force, or its threat to withdraw its welcome from the AU."
Mr Blair described the coming weeks as "crucial" and said Sudan would stay "at the top" of his agenda. Mr Blair pledged that Darfur would stay at the top of his agenda, adding he had already discussed the issue with US President George Bush and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.
"I will talk to other leaders to agree an initiative that sets out the help Sudan can expect if the government lives up to its obligations, and what will happen if they don't.""I will talk to other leaders to agree an initiative that sets out the help Sudan can expect if the government lives up to its obligations, and what will happen if they don't."
'Priority list' International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said Sudan's leaders were "standing in the face of united world opinion".
An open letter to the prime minister urges the government to "move Darfur to the top of its priority list". "Above all, they're not doing the right thing by the people they seek to represent," he said.
The letter has been signed by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey as well as Bob Geldof, pop stars Annie Lennox and Elton John, and Body Shop founder Anita Roddick. Genocide warning
Other names include actresses Emma Thompson and Helen Baxendale, TV presenter Floella Benjamin, comedian Mark Thomas and shoe designer Patrick Cox. An open letter to Mr Blair signed by prominent figures including former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey urged the government to "move Darfur to the top of its priority list".
Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders will gather outside Downing Street on Sunday to call for an end to the crisis in Darfur. Campaigner Bob Geldof, pop stars Annie Lennox and Elton John, and Body Shop founder Anita Roddick were among the celebrities who signed the letter.
Meanwhile, Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders will gather outside Downing Street on Sunday to call for an end to the crisis as part of the International Day for Darfur.
Prayers written by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra will be read from 1230 BST.Prayers written by Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks and Sheikh Ibrahim Mogra will be read from 1230 BST.
The Catholic Bishop of El Obeid, whose diocese includes Darfur, has also sent a message.The Catholic Bishop of El Obeid, whose diocese includes Darfur, has also sent a message.
The International Day for Darfur has events planned in many countries to highlight the conflict. Events are planned in 30 capital cities around the world as part of the international day.
On Thursday, Oscar-winner George Clooney told the UN Security Council members that genocide was taking place on their "watch". On Thursday, Oscar-winner George Clooney told the UN Security Council members that genocide was taking place "on their watch".
He also warned that their response would be their legacy.
"It is the first genocide of the 21st Century and if it continues unchecked, it will not be the last," he said."It is the first genocide of the 21st Century and if it continues unchecked, it will not be the last," he said.