The UN Security Council on Monday called for a transition of the peacekeeping mission in Sudan's western region of Darfur to the UN "as soon as possible".

The statement was issued before the arrival in Khartoum later Monday of a delegation comprising permanent representatives of the Security Council's 15 member states.

The delegation will "reiterate the Security Council's commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity of Sudan, which will be unaffected by the transition to a UN operation in Darfur," the statement said, referring to a proposed UN takeover of the current African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in the war-torn region.

The statement stressed the importance of a full and rapid implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), signed by the Sudanese government and a main Darfur rebel faction in the Nigerian capital Abuja on May 5, "to restore a sustainable peace in Darfur."

It urged those rebel groups which have not signed the DPA to do so without delay and not to act in any way that would impede implementation of the agreement.

"The Security Council intends to take strong and effective measures against any individual or group that violates or attempts to block the implementation of the DPA or commits human rights violations," the statement said.

It also reiterates the Security Council's support for a transition of the peacekeeping mission in Darfur to the UN "as soon as possible", adding that the transition would come "in the interests of the safety and security of the Darfur people."

The statement called on the signatories to the DPA to facilitate and work with the AU, the UN, regional and international organizations and the Security Council member states to accelerate the transition.

Warning that the persisting violence in Darfur might further affect the security in the region as well as in the neighboring countries, the statement reiterated the need for all parties to cooperate in order to put an end to the violence and atrocities.

AU Peace and Security Council has agreed in principle to replace its underfunded and ill-equipped 7,800-strong peacekeeping force in Darfur with a UN force, though Khartoum strongly opposed.

Source: Xinhua