Don't reduce force in Darfur - US diplomat

New York - US ambassador Samantha Power is urging the United Nations Security Council not to reduce or close the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, saying conditions in Sudan's conflict-wracked western region are getting worse.

She called for UN sanctions and an arms embargo on Darfur to be enforced and said it's time to move beyond "the failed peace processes and broken agreements" toward a political solution starting with a real cessation of hostilities.

Darfur has been in turmoil since 2003, when ethnic Africans rebelled, accusing the Arab-dominated Sudanese government of discrimination.

Sudan ordered the more than 20 000-strong peacekeeping force out of Darfur late last year.

But assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping Edmond Mulet made clear last week that the "exit strategy," being discussed requires council-endorsed benchmarks to be met.