US plans new resolution on Darfur

The UN Security Council discussed Darfur on Thursday, after its deadline expired for Sudan to make improvements or face sanctions. No action was agreed.

The United States says it is preparing a new United Nations resolution to deal with the crisis.

"We'll be talking to other governments shortly about the elements that can go into a resolution," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

Mr Boucher said US Secretary of State Colin Powell would testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee next week.

Mr Powell is expected to provide preliminary results of a US investigation into whether genocide is being committed in Darfur.

The US has been pressing for sanctions against the government in Khartoum, insisting that it is still backing the Arab militias.
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The U.S. Congress has already labelled the conflict in Darfur genocide but the administration of President George W. Bush has not yet taken that step.

Sudanese FM Ismail said he planned to speak to Powell later on Saturday to explain the current situation in Darfur.