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LONDON - Britain and the US have threatened the Sudanese government with tough new sanctions over continuing human rights abuse and breaches of United Nations arms embargos in Darfur.
The proposed measures include the imposition of the "no fly" zones, targeted action against the country's leadership and the extension of a weapons ban throughout Sudan.
The announcement by George W Bush and Tony Blair came on the same day that a confidential UN report charged the Sudanese government with supplying weapons into Darfur - violating UN resolutions - on aircrafts disguised with UN logos.
The arms are said to be destined for Janjaweed militia and government troops blamed for an ethnic cleansing campaign which has claimed 200,000 lives and left 2.5million people homeless.
However human rights groups pointed out last night that no time frame has been imposed on Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir to comply with the demands and to abide by UN regulations.
Diplomatic sources said that such a deadline was not possible because of opposition by China.
Mr Blair said yesterday that "What is happening in Darfur is unacceptable, appalling and a scandal."
Mr Bush said: "The world knows, and the world sees and the world must act."
Under UN proposals a joint UN and African Union force of 17,000 would be deployed in Darfur along with helicopter gun ships.
However, it is unclear which countries will provide the force and its deployment will need a further Security Council resolution.
Nigeria has announced that it will provide peacekeeping troops for the mission.
However, due to commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan there is little chance of either the US or the UK providing forces.
- INDEPENDENT
