Rebels blocking Darfur mission - UN

The United Nations in Sudan accused a rebel group today of blocking access to a mountainous area in Darfur where 20,000 people are trapped.

Ameerah Haq, the UN humanitarian chief for Sudan, said a mission to the Jabel Moun area was denied access by the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

"We as a humanitarian community want unimpeded access," she told a news conference, calling on JEM to give them access.

A JEM official, said the group has not received any UN request to visit the area in western Darfur, where he said civilians were staying without shelter after government attacks. "If the UN submits a request, they will be most welcomed," he said.

Ms Haq said people in the area were now trapped and that there was concern about their welfare.

She added the UN had reports of government troop movements in the area but that the security situation was unclear.

Darfur has been beset by strife since early 2003 when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government, accusing Khartoum of neglect. Rebel splits and the government's mobilisation of mostly Arab tribal militia has created a chaotic mix of armed groups.

International experts estimate that 200,000 have died and more than two million displaced since the violence flared. Khartoum says only 9,000 people have lost their lives.