The U.S. government says it deplores Sudan's decision to name a suspected Darfur militia leader to a senior government position.

The head of UN peacekeeping has complained that Sudanese government red tape and lack of resources are delaying the deployment of an international force to protect civilians in the war-stricken region of Darfur.

The head of UN peacekeeping has complained that Sudanese government red tape and lack of resources are delaying the deployment of an international force to protect civilians in the war-stricken region of Darfur.

Witnesses say government-backed militias have attacked a South Darfur refugee camp over the past three days, killing six people and injuring 14 during their search for rebels from Sudan's Darfur region.

Rebel forces in Darfur say that at least 40 people have been killed after government troops attacked a town controlled by the Sudan Liberation Army.

Rebel forces in Darfur say that at least 40 people have been killed after government troops attacked a town controlled by the Sudan Liberation Army.

Moves underway in the US Congress to impose new sanctions against Sudan have met opposition from the Bush Administration, which is telling legislators the restrictions could derail diplomatic efforts. Two well-placed officials testified at yesterday’s Senate Banking Committee hearing on a bill encouraging US states to divest from companies doing business with Sudan.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner Friday at the State Department for talks expected to include such issues as Iran, Kosovo and Sudan's Darfur region.

China's special envoy to Darfur has defended criticism that his country is not exerting its influence enough to stop the violence in the Sudanese region, saying China is making very concrete contributions to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts there.

The U.N. Assistant Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Margareta Wahlstrom, says the humanitarian situation in Sudan's western Darfur region is worsening.

United Nation's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday formally announced his plans to travel to Sudan next week. From VOA's United Nation's bureau, Suzanne Presto reports on the U.N. chief's three-point plan for Sudan's Darfur region.

Last week, the United Nations Security Council approved plans to send an expanded peacekeeping force to Sudan's Darfur region. From VOA's New York bureau, Suzanne Presto reports that officials say preparations are already underway to deploy U.N. peacekeepers to create a joint United Nations-African Union force.