PM warns of "tough action" over Darfur

Tony Blair has lent his support to a day of action on Darfur by issuing a warning to the Sudanese government.

In a statement, the PM says "tough action" will follow in the UN Security Council if the Sudanese do not abide with their commitment to peace.

More than 200,000 people have died in the conflict in Darfur, two million people have been displaced and there are four million people on food aid.

Mr Blair said:

"The UK and its partners will take tougher action in the Security Council to target those responsible for the violence, to further restrict access to weapons and to improve monitoring of air flights.

"If the Sudanese government and President Bashir want to stop this process, they can, by doing those things that they should have been doing a long time ago."

Despite the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement by the Government of Sudan and Minni Minawi's section of the Sudan Liberation Movement in 2006, conflict has continued in Darfur, western Sudan.

It is largely a battle for resources, land, water and grazing rights together with a related struggle for power within the indigenous tribal administration structure.