Nato agrees Darfur support for AU

About two million people have fled their homes

Nato has agreed to offer air transport, training and logistics support to African Union (AU) peacekeepers in the Sudanese region of Darfur.

Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the alliance had agreed a package of measures ahead of an international conference in Addis Ababa on Thursday.

The AU is increasing its force in Darfur to more than 7,700 in an attempt to end two years of civil war there.

On Monday, the European Union pledged to help transport the troops.

Logistical problems

More than 180,000 people have died and two million have fled their homes in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

The EU has promised to work with Nato to provide logistical help, ensuring that their efforts do not overlap.

European defence ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday said they would not themselves send troops, but would provide logistical support.

The AU currently has 2,200 peacekeepers in Darfur, but its plans to increase that force to 5,500 soldiers, 1,600 civilian police and 700 military observers are being hampered by logistical problems and a lack of air transport.

The North Atlantic Council, Nato's decision-making body, agreed "initial military options for a possible Nato support to the AU as it expands its mission", spokesman James Appathurai said.

Mr de Hoop Scheffer said the Nato measures would be discussed further at the conference in Ethiopia on Thursday, which will attended by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan along with EU and Nato leaders.

Mission first

If the details of the Nato offer are approved, it will be the first time the military alliance has had a mission in Africa.

However, Nato spokesman Robert Pszczel told the BBC that although Nato troops might be involved in co-ordination, this did not mean that a major contingent would be deployed.

He said that Nato's role would be one of support to the main AU mission.

The announcement comes a day after the EU pledged its support to the AU, and the two blocs are keen not to be seen to be competing for a role in the region.

"There is no question of rivalry between the EU and Nato," said French Defence Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

Luxembourg Defence Minister Luc Frieden said: "We must do this in a way that complements efforts by others, such as the United Nations and Nato. We shall not enter into a little game of competition."

Peace talks between the government and rebels in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, are due to resume at the end of the month.