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/5355642.stm

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

Version 1 Version 2
Pressure grows on Sudan's leader Pressure grows on Sudan's leader
(40 minutes later)
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has arrived in New York under pressure to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur.Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has arrived in New York under pressure to allow UN peacekeepers into Darfur.
African ministers are meeting later to vote on the pull-out from the region of 7,000 African Union troops, whose mandate expires in two weeks.African ministers are meeting later to vote on the pull-out from the region of 7,000 African Union troops, whose mandate expires in two weeks.
Sudan is signalling it may let the AU force stay on, but the French president is to "solemnly appeal" to Mr Bashir to end his veto of a UN force.Sudan is signalling it may let the AU force stay on, but the French president is to "solemnly appeal" to Mr Bashir to end his veto of a UN force.
On Sunday, global demonstrations took place demanding an end to the conflict.On Sunday, global demonstrations took place demanding an end to the conflict.
At least 200,000 people are estimated to have died and more than two million displaced during the three-year conflict.At least 200,000 people are estimated to have died and more than two million displaced during the three-year conflict.
The United Nations mission in Sudan has warned that hundreds of thousands of people could be freshly displaced if international peacekeepers leave Darfur.The United Nations mission in Sudan has warned that hundreds of thousands of people could be freshly displaced if international peacekeepers leave Darfur.
Manuel Aranda da Silva, the UN's top aid official in Sudan, said the situation looked extremely grave if the AU peacekeepers were to go ahead with their plans to leave.Manuel Aranda da Silva, the UN's top aid official in Sudan, said the situation looked extremely grave if the AU peacekeepers were to go ahead with their plans to leave.
"This is a scenario which must not become reality."
Unfortunately, the people in the West, in Europe and the United States are moved by the media Ali KartiSudanese junior foreign minister In pictures: Darfur rallies Bleak outlook for Darfur Send us your views Violence has worsened since a peace deal was reached with one of the three main rebels groups earlier this year and aid workers may pull out of Darfur if the AU peacekeepers leave and are not replaced by a UN force.Unfortunately, the people in the West, in Europe and the United States are moved by the media Ali KartiSudanese junior foreign minister In pictures: Darfur rallies Bleak outlook for Darfur Send us your views Violence has worsened since a peace deal was reached with one of the three main rebels groups earlier this year and aid workers may pull out of Darfur if the AU peacekeepers leave and are not replaced by a UN force.
A new catastrophe in Darfur "could destabilise all the countries in the region," French President Jacques Chirac told French radio.A new catastrophe in Darfur "could destabilise all the countries in the region," French President Jacques Chirac told French radio.
But Sudan is hinting at a possible compromise.But Sudan is hinting at a possible compromise.
"It is likely we will arrive at an extension of the African Union mandate when the ministers meet in New York. There seems to be a common interest. It will give time for all sides to find a way out of this," Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani, a senior presidential adviser, told Britain's Guardian newspaper."It is likely we will arrive at an extension of the African Union mandate when the ministers meet in New York. There seems to be a common interest. It will give time for all sides to find a way out of this," Ghazi Salahuddin Atabani, a senior presidential adviser, told Britain's Guardian newspaper.
SupportSupport
The Darfur rebel group now allied to the government, Minni Minawi's SLA, has added its support to the UN resolution authorising the deployment of troops to Darfur.The Darfur rebel group now allied to the government, Minni Minawi's SLA, has added its support to the UN resolution authorising the deployment of troops to Darfur.
The resolution specifies that Sudan must back the move, but Khartoum has stressed that any UN troops entering Darfur would be met with armed resistance.The resolution specifies that Sudan must back the move, but Khartoum has stressed that any UN troops entering Darfur would be met with armed resistance.
Refugees from fighting in Darfur tell their storiesIn pictures The US and France have both said a genocide is taking place, with the US directly accusing Khartoum of responsibility.Refugees from fighting in Darfur tell their storiesIn pictures The US and France have both said a genocide is taking place, with the US directly accusing Khartoum of responsibility.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special representative to Sudan, Jan Pronk, is due to brief the Security Council on the latest developments on the ground in Darfur later on Monday. African Union leaders are expected to meet on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN summit, to discuss the peacekeeping situation.UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's special representative to Sudan, Jan Pronk, is due to brief the Security Council on the latest developments on the ground in Darfur later on Monday. African Union leaders are expected to meet on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN summit, to discuss the peacekeeping situation.
BBC world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge says the Darfur issue is likely to be a key one at this week's UN General Assembly.BBC world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge says the Darfur issue is likely to be a key one at this week's UN General Assembly.
On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote to leaders of the European Union, calling the situation in Darfur "unacceptable" and urging them to take a common stand on the issue.On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair wrote to leaders of the European Union, calling the situation in Darfur "unacceptable" and urging them to take a common stand on the issue.
On Sunday in London, there was a rally outside the Sudanese embassy, while thousands protested in New York's Central Park.On Sunday in London, there was a rally outside the Sudanese embassy, while thousands protested in New York's Central Park.
Among those involved were the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, who headed the UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda during that country's genocide in 1994.Among those involved were the South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Canadian General Romeo Dallaire, who headed the UN peacekeeping force in Rwanda during that country's genocide in 1994.
About 20,000 people gathered in Central Park to press the US government for action.About 20,000 people gathered in Central Park to press the US government for action.
Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said: "The world must act and it must do so now because time is not on our side."
In Cambodia, devastated by the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s, a candle-lit vigil was held in the capital, Phnom Penh.
Speaking ahead of the protests, Sudan's junior foreign minister, Ali Karti, said the demonstrators were misunderstanding the situation in Darfur.
"Unfortunately, the people there in the West, in Europe and the United States are moved by the media and the media is unfortunately moved by political agendas," he said.
Khartoum says it is defending the territorial integrity of Sudan against rebels backed by neighbouring Chad.Khartoum says it is defending the territorial integrity of Sudan against rebels backed by neighbouring Chad.