Arab League urges UN against hasty sanctions on Sudan

CAIRO, July 11 (AFP) — The Arab League on Sunday urged the United Nations against slapping hasty sanctions on Sudan and pressed the world body to work with Khartoum to resolve the conflict in the western Darfur region.

The league called on the Security Council to “give all possible support in implementing the agreement between the Sudanese government and the UN,” in a statement.

Earlier this month, Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir agreed to disarm militias, provide access for aid workers and hold political talks to defuse the crisis, following a visit by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The league also pressed the United Nations “not be hasty in passing a resolution that would have the opposite affect of this agreement and the current efforts of the African Union (AU)” to ease the conflict in Darfur.

More than 10,000 people are estimated to have died in what the United Nations has called the biggest current humanitarian crisis in the world since a revolt against the Arab-dominated government broke out among indigenous ethnic minorities in February 2003.

In retaliation, the pro-government Arab Janjaweed militias have carried out what UN officials say is a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against black Africans.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell said Sudan has little time to honor its pledge of immediate action to stop bloodshed in Darfur or face the wrath of global sanctions.

He said a draft US resolution seeking sanctions on militia leaders behind the violence was being discussed with selected council members.

The 22-member league also called on Arab countries to join the ranks of an AU force deployed in the region, and welcomed steps taken so far by Khartoum to bring normality back to Darfur.

The AU has said it plans to send a 300-strong armed protection force to Darfur, where it has already deployed observers to monitor a shaky ceasefire.