Sudan rejects need for UN in Darfur

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir today rejected the deployment of UN troops in Darfur, saying they were not required and that African Union troops could maintain order in the war-wracked region of western Sudan.

His comment contradicted statements by Sudanese officials, who said last month the government would accept a limited number of UN forces, as well those of AU officials who had proposed that the world body take over peacekeeping in Darfur.