The United Nations reiterated Friday the need for a so-called hybrid peacekeeping mission composed of African Union and UN forces to restore peace in the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur, a spokesman said, according to DPA. Such a joint force could stabilize the area, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric at UN headquarters. The AU's Peace and Security Council decided in a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, Thursday to extend the mandate of the 7,000 African troops serving under the AU in Darfur for another six months, beginning in January. "A stabilizing force in Darfur could have a positive impact for the whole region," Dujarric said.
