The U.N. Security Council adopted a U.S.-drafted resolution Friday that gave Sudan 30 days to disarm Arab groups blamed for killing thousands in the Darfur region or else face diplomatic and economic sanctions.
The resolution was adopted with 13 votes, with China and Pakistan abstaining, despite U.S. attempts to overcome objections by deleting the word "sanctions" from the text.
The United States said the resolution was a tough warning to Sudan to rein in the armed groups, known as the Janjaweed.
"The resolution in stern and unambiguous terms puts the Sudanese government on notice that it must comply," U.S. Ambassador John Danforth said. "Sudan must know that it faces sanctions if it refuses to do so."
Sudan defended its efforts and called on the international community to send more help. "The government has already sent some Janjaweed members to court," Sudan's Deputy Information Minister Abdel Dafe Khattib told The Associated Press. "The government is very serious and is doing its best, and its resources are very limited." (albawaba.com)
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