Britain calls for summit meeting on Darfur crisis

LONDON, Sep 22 (Reuters) Britain today called for world leaders to prepare a summit on easing the humanitarian crisis in Sudan's violence-torn Darfur region.

''International leaders should be ready to meet soon to consider next steps,'' a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair told reporters, adding that no agenda or date had yet been set for such a meeting.

He did not elaborate on what ''next steps'' meant but Blair has suggested a carrot and stick approach that included incentives for Sudan if it allows UN troops into Darfur.

The United States and Denmark host a meeting on Darfur in New York today as the government in Khartoum continues to refuse any UN force into its western region to stop fighting that has killed an estimated 200,000 people and displaced 2.5 million.

The African Union mandate in Darfur had been set to expire on September 30 but the AU has been extended its mission for three months with additional logistical and material support from the United Nations and a funding commitment from the Arab League.

Britain, which has repeatedly called for action to resolve the Darfur crisis, also called for a concerted political effort to turn a shaky peace agreement signed by one rebel faction and the government in May into practice.

As part of that pressure, a ministerial-level delegation should be sent to Khartoum to discuss rising international concerns about developments in Darfur, the spokesman said.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Aid Commissioner Louis Michel are expected to go to Khartoum in early October.

Fighting between militias, government forces and rebel groups has ravaged the vast region for three years, and in recent months the rebels are reported to have turned to banditry against aid workers and civilians making matters even worse.

However, the Sudanese government, accused of supporting the militias, has refused to allow the United Nations to send in a 22,000-strong force to replace the AU, accusing it of attempting to recolonise the country.

UN human rights monitors today accused Sudan's army of dropping bombs on villages in North Darfur, killing and injuring civilians, and driving hundreds of people from their homes.

They also reported continuing rapes and sexual violence against women by military or militia known as Janjaweed around camps for the displaced in South Darfur.

Yesterday, the United Nations urged warring groups in Darfur to lay down their weapons during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan to let relief workers operate in the battered region.

REUTERS DKA VV1920