This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6178971.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Sudan dismisses Darfur 'threats' Sudan dismisses Darfur 'threats'
(about 2 hours later)
Sudan has dismissed pressure from the US and the UK to take tough action if it continues to block the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force. Sudan has dismissed warnings of tough action by the US and the UK if it continues to block the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force.
Foreign Minister Lam Akol told the BBC that "threats, blockades and no-fly zones... would not solve the problem" but would increase suffering in Darfur.Foreign Minister Lam Akol told the BBC that "threats, blockades and no-fly zones... would not solve the problem" but would increase suffering in Darfur.
The US says it might take up "other options" in Darfur, while the UK has mentioned a no-fly zone.The US says it might take up "other options" in Darfur, while the UK has mentioned a no-fly zone.
Some 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, the UN says.Some 200,000 people have died in Darfur since 2003, the UN says.
The violence has intensified in recent months despite the presence of some 7,000 African Union peacekeepers.The violence has intensified in recent months despite the presence of some 7,000 African Union peacekeepers.
But Sudan rejects plans for the United Nations to take control and increase the number of peacekeepers to 20,000.But Sudan rejects plans for the United Nations to take control and increase the number of peacekeepers to 20,000.
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send a team to investigate abuses.Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council has agreed to send a team to investigate abuses.
Clooney lobbies on Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in DarfurClooney lobbies on Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur
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.
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.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.
A UN resolution was passed last year banning military flights over Darfur but this has not been enforced.A UN resolution was passed last year banning military flights over Darfur but this has not been enforced.
The issue was raised at a meeting between US President George W Bush and Mr Blair in Washington last week.The issue was raised at a meeting between US 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.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.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 urgencyGrowing urgency
Meanwhile, President Bush's special envoy to Darfur, Andrew Natsios, has just visited Khartoum for talks with Sudan President Omar al-Bashir.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.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.