EU to plan Darfur peace mission

2007-07-18 19:49

Brussels - European Union foreign ministers were expected next week to start planning for a possible 12-month peacekeeping mission to protect tens of thousands of Darfur refugees in Chad, diplomats said on Wednesday.

Preliminary planning foresees sending 1 500 to 3 000 troops from the 27-nation bloc to refugee camps bordering Sudan's western Darfur region, where civilians face violence from fighting that is spilling over the border from Sudan, diplomats said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations.

The idea has been pushed by French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, but gained support from other EU capitals, amid growing concern for the safety of women and children fleeing Darfur, diplomats said.

- AP