Darfur talks postponed by a day -AU official

ABUJA, Dec 10 (Reuters) – The African Union (AU) postponed the start of talks between the Sudanese government and Darfur rebel groups by one day to Saturday due to logistical problems, an AU spokesman said on Friday.

Some rebels and mediators missed their flights or failed to arrive on time, said AU spokesman Assane Ba.

“We are having some logistical problems. Some rebels missed their flights. The Chadian co-mediators are also not here, so we feel it is better to postpone (the opening ceremony) until tomorrow,” Ba said.

The talks are set to seek a political deal to end two years of conflict in the vast desert region which observers say is slipping deeper into chaos.