Annan Urges Big Increase in Troops for Darfur

The UN secretary general, Kofi Annan, called for a substantial and speedy expansion of the international forces in Darfur after reporting that the Sudanese government had failed to stop attacks on civilians.

He was delivering his verdict on Khartoum after the security council's deadline. He said that while the Sudanese government had made progress in some areas, it had still not fulfilled its commitment to stop and disarm the Janjaweed Arab militia which has been terrorising civilians throughout Darfur and bring those responsible to justice.

"I believe a substantially increased international presence in Darfur is required as quickly as possible," Mr Annan said.

He also urged an extension of the force's mandate from simple monitoring the situation to patrolling the region.

The security council discuss today whether to impose sanctions or allow the Sudanese government more time. The latter is the likeliest outcome.

The foreign secretary, Jack Straw, said yesterday that Sudan had not done enough to disarm the militia which has forced up to 1.2 million people into refugee camps.

He added that modest progress made so far had come about only "because of the pressure exerted by the international community".

"A culture of impunity continues, with no evidence that the perpetrators of these appalling attacks are being brought to justice," Mr Straw said.

The Darfur crisis began last year when the government armed the Janjaweed to help suppress rebel movements.

The African Union, the pan-continental organisation, has 80 monitors in Darfur and a protection force of 305 Rwandan and Nigerian soldiers. It has offered to increase this force to 2,000-3,000.

The Sudanese government has not yet said whether it is prepared to accept such an increase.

The secretary general, whose report was based on information from a UN team on the ground in Darfur, led by his envoy Jan Pronk, said: "Stopping attacks against civilians and ensuring their protection is the responsibility of the government of Sudan.

"The government has not met this obligation fully, despite the commitments it has made and its obligations [under a UN security council resolution passed in July].

"Attacks against civilians are continuing and the vast majority of armed militias have not been disarmed."

The UN continued to receive reports of militia activity in all three states in Darfur, he said.

Mr Annan said an increased international presence could help by decreasing the level of violence and improving the protection of civilians, particularly those in the camps.

He said the Sudanese government had achieved "some progress" in making some of the camps safe havens and easing obstacles to the provision of humanitarian aid.

The security council is unlikely to impose sanctions because at least four of its members - China, Russia, Algeria and Pakistan - are opposed.

The US, and to a lesser extent, the British government, have been the two members most in favour of some form of punitive action.

The British government will not make a final decision until it hears the views of the other council members, but is leaning toward the view that sanctions would be counterproductive at present and would divide the security council.

· One of the rebel forces in Darfur, the Sudan Liberation Army, has released six Sudanese aid workers seized on Saturday.