Plan for Darfur peace talks in UK

London could host Darfur peace talks under proposals being put forward by prime minister Gordon Brown.

British officials have been in contact with the Sudanese government and rebel groups to offer the possibility of a summit "as soon as practicable".

Downing Street revealed details of the negotiations as activists in 30 countries prepared to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the war.

A spokesman said the offer was a way to assist a speedy end to the conflict.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for the resumption of peace talks, a ceasefire that ends the violence on all sides, and a reconciliation effort that leads to a political settlement.

I feel frustrated by this appalling situation and the slow progress, but I am determined that we will not fail Gordon Brown Rowling in call for Darfur action

The development comes ahead of a Global Day for Darfur, organised by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Save Darfur Coalition.

In the UK, a group of children from the war-torn province, where 200,000 have died and millions more have been displaced, will meet international development minister Shahid Malik at Number 10.

On Saturday, Harry Potter author JK Rowling joined fellow children's writers from around the world to call for greater protection for children living in Darfur.

Slow progress

And protesters will gather outside the Sudanese embassy in London, where speakers will include Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, to demand an end to attacks on civilians.

Mr Brown welcomed the start made at deploying a joint United Nations and African Union peacekeeping force but said faster progress was urgently required - especially given the recent intensification in violence.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Fresh talks will change nothing. Changing the corrupt faces of both the government & opposition will

Ali, Yemen

Send us your comments

He pledged to push for faster peacekeeper deployment in talks in the US with President George Bush and senior UN figures this week.

And he added: "Like the thousands of people taking part in events across the world today I feel frustrated by this appalling situation and the slow progress, but I am determined that we will not fail.

"I am committed to working for a more coherent diplomatic approach to this crisis that does not allow any of the parties to the conflict to flout the will of the international community with impunity in the future.

"Five years is more than enough for anyone to have to live with the sort of suffering that the people of Darfur have had to endure."