The African Union has agreed to more than double the number of its peace monitors in the war-torn Sudan's Darfur region. By September, the force should be 7,700-strong, which could be further increased to 12,000, BBC quoted an official as saying. There are currently just 2,200 troops, with another 1,000 expected next month, to monitor an area the size of France. "These extra troops will further promote a more secure environment and help build confidence as well as protecting civilians," said AU Peace and Security Commissioner Saed Djinnit. He said that Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria and Senegal have all promised to send extra troops. The UN's Sudan envoy says the peacekeepers have made a difference where they are present but they are too few to cover such a large area. Earlier this week, the AU asked Nato for logistical and financial support for its mission in Darfur. Nato is considering the request. The Sudan government says it would accept Nato logistical support but not the presence of non-African troops.
