Thousands protest on Darfur day

The global action day was organised by human rights groups

More than 3,000 protesters gathered outside the Sudanese Embassy in London as part of a global day of action to end the conflict in Darfur.

A rally to mark the fifth anniversary of the civil war was addressed by faith leaders, politicians and journalists.

British officials have been in contact with the Sudanese government and rebel groups to propose London hosts Darfur peace talks.

The government said the offer was to assist a speedy end to the conflict.

So far 200,000 have died in Darfur and millions more have been displaced.

The international community needs to wake up - where is their consciousness, where are their hearts? Roa Hassan Child survivor

As part of Global Day for Darfur, a group of child survivors from the war-torn province visited Downing Street and met international development minister Shahid Malik.

The children presented the minister with pictures they had drawn of their hopes for Darfur's future.

Speaking outside No 10, one of the children, Roa Hassan, said her picture was of "children being educated".

"I think every child in Darfur deserves to be educated as we are. We have the privilege of being really safe."

She added: "The international community needs to wake up - where is their consciousness, where are their hearts? They need to wake up and help."

Mr Malik rejected suggestions that Britain wasn't doing enough to help.

He said: "But ultimately it's the rebel groups and the government of Sudan who must really abide by their agreements, come to the negotiating table, work with the African Union and the UN if they want a serious peace."

Organised by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Save Darfur Coalition, speakers at the protest outside the Sudanese Embassy also included Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg.

He said: "I would not want to denigrate the rhetorical efforts of Gordon Brown, but I am afraid people want to see action rather than more rhetoric."

'International will'

Mr Brown has 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.

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 Plan for peace talks in UK

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."