Sudan asks for more African troops in Darfur-Libya

Having followed news of Col Gaddafi's efforts to broker peace for Darfur, and logged reports here at Sudan Watch, this news just in from Reuters sounds most interesting:

Sudan asked on Thursday for more African troops to join the 7,000-strong African Union force monitoring a truce in the troubled region, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said.

"Sudan demanded forces from the Community of Sahel-Saharan States be dispatched to Darfur," Gaddafi told a meeting of the group in Tripoli.

"We discussed that demand raised by Sudan and we agreed upon that demand," Gaddafi added in his speech to leaders of the Community.

He did not say whether Khartoum had asked for a specific number of troops and did not give any details about what force the group might provide and when it might go to Darfur.

Gaddafi becomes Community chairman after the one-day gathering of heads of state of the group, which includes Sudan, Chad, Egypt, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Benin, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Tunisia.

Gaddafi, whose remarks were broadcast live on state TV, vowed to work to "extinguish fires" in Sudan, Ivory Coast and other trouble spots on the continent.

"Those who are creating troubles and problems in Africa must be treated like criminals because such problems divert attention and efforts from focusing on economic and social development in Africa," he said.

Gaddafi told African leaders to "count on Libya's resources and potential" to further cooperation and resolve conflicts and tensions across the continent.

Further reading

May 29 2006 Sudan proposes Libyan role in Darfur peace implementation

May 28 2006 Libyan leader Gaddafi to supervise Darfur Peace Agreement - this link leads to:

May 27 2006 Libyan leader receives AU Commission Chairman Konare

May 28 2006 Sudanese envoy al-Khalifa to meet in Libya with Col Gaddafi and SLM/A's Minnawi re Darfur peace process