U.N. Calls for Quick Increase in Troops for Sudan

 A U.N. report on Wednesday called for a quick increase in the international monitoring force in Sudan's western region of Darfur, saying the government has not stopped attacks against civilians or disarmed marauding militias. On July 30, the council gave the government 30 days to demonstrate that it was taking action to curb Arab militias accused of attacking, raping and killing thousands of black villagers in Darfur, and improve security and humanitarian access. It threatened punitive economic and diplomatic measures if Khartoum didn't move quickly. The report to the U.N. Security Council by Secretary-General Kofi Annan cites ``some progress'' by the government and does not mention or recommend sanctions. [more ] and [more ]

• Full text: Sudanese president talks to CNN [more ]