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 GENEVA (AP) - His time at the helm of the world body nearing an end, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan stepped up his efforts Tuesday to force a halt to atrocities in Darfur, demanding the U.N. Human Rights Council send an independent team of investigators to the volatile Sudanese region.
Annan, whose 10-year stewardship of the United Nations ends Dec. 31, was joined by top U.N. officials and agencies increasingly frustrated in their efforts to bring relief to people suffering from nearly four years of bloodshed.
"It is urgent that we take action to prevent further violations, including by bringing to account those responsible for the numerous crimes that have already been committed," Annan told the 47-nation council's emergency session on Darfur. The body is expected to decide Wednesday whether to pass a resolution, which would be nonbinding, but increase political pressure.
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