A UN envoy arrived in Sudan today to examine the government’s efforts to improve security and rein in Arab militia accused of months of atrocities in Darfur, preparing an assessment that could determine whether Sudan will be hit with sanctions.

A Sudanese minister has rejected any immediate wider role for African Union troops in its troubled Darfur region, saying security in the western region is the responsibility of Sudanese forces.

Pushed to end what the United Nations calls the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, envoys of Sudan’s government gathered in Nigeria today for talks with rebel leaders in Sudan’s bloodied western Darfur region.