The Peace and Security Council of the African Union decided Thursday night to increase the military presence of the African Mission in Sudan to a nearly 6,200-member protection force and 1,500 civilian police by September to protect civilians in war- torn Darfur. The council called on A.U. member states to contribute troops to the enhanced second phase of the mission to be deployed in Sudan's western region from June to August so the entire 6,171 protection force and 1,500 civilian police force as well as 702 military observers would be in place by September, Said Djinnit, the A.U. commissioner for peace and security, said at a news briefing curried by dpa at the end of the council meeting. The council also called on A.U. partners, particularly the European Union, to provide financial and logistical support for the deployment, which now has 2,346 personnel. It includes a 1,647-protection force from six countries, 454 military observers and 245 civilian police. Twenty-six international staff are also assigned to the Ceasefire Commission in Darfur. --More 2340 Local Time 2040 GMT
