U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said on Tuesday that the United States is playing "an active role" and "doing everything we can do" to stop violence in Sudan's Darfur region.

"It's a huge area. It's difficult to get at, but we have been actively involved. I am satisfied we are doing everything we can do," Cheney said in an interview with the PBS television.

The United States has been supporting other parties trying to end the conflict in Darfur, Cheney said, noting the U.S. support for the African Union "and the insertion of peacekeeping forces."

Thousands have been killed and some 2 million people displaced since the government troops clashed with rebels in 2003.

The United States has urged the Sudanese government and the rebel groups to undertake negotiations in order to achieve peace and reconciliation in the Darfur region.

Source: Xinhua