Sudan has been urged to show determination to stabilize the situation in the troubled Darfur region in western Sudan, although the Sudanese government says the circumstances there have improved.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday in New York over the Darfur issue,United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, "They must show demonstrably that they are determined, that they are serious, and that they are protecting the people."

"And this has to be seen by the people, and felt by the people,not by public declarations," he stressed.

The UN Security Council passed a resolution last Friday that threatened to impose economic and diplomatic sanctions on Sudan ifit fails to rein in the marauding Arab militia in Darfur. The militia has been accused of cruelly attacking black Africans in Darfur and blamed for the unfolding humanitarian crisis in the region.

The resolution required Annan to report monthly to the council on Sudan's compliance. His first report will be due on Aug. 30.

Darfur has been labeled as a site of the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

A 17-month conflict between two rebel groups,formed by black tribes in the region, and the government and the militia has left up to 30,000 people dead and more than 1 million internally displaced. Another 150,000 people were forced to flee to neighboring Chad.

While denying having any links with the militia, Khartoum said that it has dispatched 5,000 policemen to Darfur to crack down on the militia.

Sudanese president says situation in Darfur improves

Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir said in Khartoumon Tuesday that the situation in the Darfur region has improved, with hundreds of refugees starting to return to their homes.

The government has prepared sufficient food for the refugees to consume until October this year, El-Bashir said in an interview with an Arab TV.

Meanwhile, the Sudanese president reiterated his determination and sincerity to settle the Darfur crisis, saying it is the government's responsibility to realize peace and stability in Darfur and protect people there.

Stressing that Sudan will not accept foreign military interference in the Darfur issue, El-Bashir said that his government has agreed to allow international observers to enter the region to supervise the cease-fire accord between warring parties clinched on April 8.

AU stresses to seek solution within African framework

African Union (AU) Chairman Olusegun Obasanjo, noted during a meeting with El-Bashir in Khartoum on Sunday that the Darfur crisis should be resolved within the African framework, saying it was a domestic issue of an AU member state.

Compared with other international organizations, the AU is in abetter position to find out the situation there accurately and objectively. It also knows the way to an objective solution to theproblem, said Obasanjo, who is also president of Nigeria.

The AU just hopes the international community will stand behind it with help and support, he said, adding that the bloc will continue its efforts on the issue.

In his opinion, the Sudanese government has exerted efforts to seek a satisfactory solution through regional and international organizations.

US, EU urges Sudan to do more

Both the United States and the European Union (EU) have expressed their attitude toward the crisis, urging Sudan to do more.

Despite hailing the pledge by the Sudanese government to boost the police presence in Darfur, the United States said it was insufficient to meet the requirements of UN demands to immediately improve security there.

"The provision of additional security forces may be a necessary step to provide security for the people of the area, but it's only one of many steps they should be taking," State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said Tuesday.

"The government certainly has within its power the ability to take action to stop these militias, to arrest senior people, to stop air support, to stop government troop support, as well as to withdraw any forms of support and stop them from their activities," he added.

The EU also expressed its expectation for the Sudanese government to achieve progress on the ground by making Darfur a safer area for the displaced to return home.

"We are asking to see progress on the ground" and for the Sudanese government to show its willingness to move in the right direction, said an EU official Tuesday.

The issue that currently faced the EU is to provide security in the Darfur region for the refugees, stressed the official.

Meanwhile, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, Arab foreign ministers would convene an emergency meeting in Cairo next week to discuss ways to help the Sudanese government overcome the Darfur crisis.

"The Sudanese side is ready to cooperate, but the western Darfur region is large and has 6 million residents. Therefore, more potentials and efforts are required," he said Monday while addressing the Egyptian State Information Services.