United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says Sudanese government restrictions on aid to civilians in Darfur violate international humanitarian law.
In a report released Monday to the U.N. Security Council, Mr. Annan warned that barring supplies and relief workers in Darfur is preventing civilian access to much needed aid. Reuters News Agency says the report showed that 80,000 people in the region do not have access to vital services because of government restrictions.
Senior United Nation envoys Lakdar Brahimi and Hedi Annabi are to arrive in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, Tuesday, to push the government to accept a U.N. peacekeeping force in Darfur.
The U.N. Security Council approved the mission earlier this month. But Sudan has yet to accept the plan, saying it wants more say about the size and mandate of the force.
Darfur's largest rebel group signed a deal with the government on May 5 to end more than three years of fighting in the region. Two smaller rebel groups have refused to sign.
Monday, the Sudanese army denied claims by leaders of the rebel Sudan Liberation Army, that government troops attacked a rebel base in violation of the Darfur peace agreement.
The group said government forces and allied militia attacked their base in Dar es-Salam in North Darfur.
An African Union force has been unable to stop the fighting in Darfur, which has killed at least 180,000 people.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.