U.N. warns Darfur soon out of control

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The coordinator of United Nations humanitarian efforts says deteriorating security conditions in Sudan's Darfur region is "an affront to humanity."

Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland reported to the Security Council on his latest trip to the region, and said hurdles imposed by the Sudanese government were making delivery of humanitarian efforts increasingly difficult.

He said widespread killing in the region was being supported by both Sudan and Chad, which are providing rebels with weaponry and safe haven.

"Let us be clear -- these acts are crimes of the most despicable kind. They are an affront to humanity," Egeland told the council. "If this trend continues and the world's largest humanitarian operation falters, the lifeline of millions of civilians could collapse and the situation in Darfur would spin out of control."

Meanwhile, the U.N. news center said two aid vehicles were ambushed by gunmen who fired at the vehicles then stole communications equipment, money and personal belongings of the aid workers.