Darfur peace talks begin, Libyan agency says

SIRTE, Libya, Oct 27 (Reuters) Sudan's government and some rebel groups began talks in Libya today to try to end 4-1/2 years of conflict in Darfur, the official Libyan news agency Jana reported.

UN and African Union officials have played down the prospect of a conclusive deal in the Libyan town of Sirte, saying they hoped for some solid progress by year-end. The absence of key rebels cast doubt on whether negotiations could produce any meaningful deal to end violence in the western Sudanese region.

REUTERS PD RAI2118