Darfur security worsening: US diplomat

KHARTOUM (AFP) - Security in Darfur is worsening and militias need to be disarmed, the US charge d'affaires to Sudan said on Sunday, condemning the recent attack which killed a peacekeeper.

Joseph Stafford also expressed grave concern "about the reports of civilian casualties and deliberate targeting of civilians by militias in Muhagiriya and Labado", the region where the Nigerian peacekeeper died on Friday.

He told reporters it is not yet clear who carried out the "deeply troubling" attack against the base of the African Union-UN Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) near Muhagiriya town in southern Darfur.

But he said there is an "urgent" need for an investigation bringing those responsible to justice.

Two other peacekeepers were wounded in the assault, two days after the Sudanese government announced it regained control of the area from rebels.

"We're worried about the deteriorating security situation in Darfur and the conflict between the government forces and the militia", Stafford said.