United Nations Radio

The head of United Nations peacekeeping operations has expressed concern about an alarming increase of violence in the troubled Darfur region of Sudan.

Jean-Marie Guehenno (photo) was speaking in the Security Council where he presented the monthly report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations-African Union hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

He said in the last six weeks alone, there has been fighting between the rebel movements and the Sudanese government forces as well as between factions of the rebel movements in both South and North Darfur.

"These engagements have included aerial bombardments on rebel positions, including on villages occupied by civilians. Taken with the increasingly volatile situation on the Chad-Sudan border and the increased banditry targeting UN assets, the security situation in Darfur is deteriorating at an alarming rate."

Mr. Guehenno said the situation remained calm in the Darfur city of El Fasher and UNAMID is continuing limited patrols.

However, he told the Security Council that the temporary closure of the airport interrupted the movement of rations and personnel in Darfur.

For United Nations Radio, I'm Dianne Penn.

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