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UN extends UN-African force in Darfur
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-30 23:22

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council is extending the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force in Sudan's Darfur region and demanding an immediate end to the violence.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the council on Thursday calls for all parties to commit themselves to a permanent cease-fire.

The council reiterates that there can be no military solution to the conflict, which began in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the government, complaining of discrimination and neglect. It demands that all rebel groups and the government immediately engage in peace talks without preconditions.

Full deployment of the 26,000-strong UN-AU force has been repeatedly delayed. The resolution extends its mandate until July 31, 2010.