Sudanese rebels urged to return vehicles seized from British charity

KHARTOUM, July 13, 2004 (dpa) — British officials on Tuesday urged Sudanese rebels to return vehicles seized last week during an attack on British charity workers in the conflict-torn region of Darfur.

In a statement released Tuesday British Ambassador to Sudan, William Patey, called on the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) to return the vehicles stolen from the Save the Children fund.

The SLM, one of the rebel groups controlling Darfur, seized the vehicles during an attack on 26 aid workers who were delivering assistance to the needy in northern Darfur.

Meanwhile the U.S. embassy in Sudan has begun discussions with tribal leaders in Darfur on possible solutions to the conflict in the region.

In a statement Tuesday the embassy said it was seeking an end to the violence in Darfur and was aware of the role tribal chiefs had played in the past in resolving such conflicts