Deployment of U.N. attack helicopters and 3,000 peacekeepers in Darfur accepted

Sudan accepted the deployment of U.N. attack helicopters and 3,000 peacekeepers in Darfur, the first time it has allowed a significant injection of U.N. forces to help in the war-torn region.

Photo: Deployment of U.N. attack helicopters and 3,000 peacekeepers in Darfur accepted

Sudanese Foreign Minister spokesman Ali Sadiq said Khartoum has accepted the so-called "second package" that outlines the deployment  including the attack helicopters, which the Sudanese government had initially resisted allowing.

"The heavy support package has been fully accpted by the Sudanese government, there is no more discussion," Sadiq told The Associated Press.

He said it was now up to the United Nations to decide when to deploy some 3,000 troops and the gunships in reinforcement to the African Union mission struggling to bring peace to Darfur.