Official says Darfur needs more U.N. help

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The joint United Nations and African Union force in Sudan's Darfur region must be larger and better equipped, a top U.N. official said Wednesday.

Alain LeRoy, under-secretary general for peacekeeping, told the Security Council he saw a lot of progress during his recent visit to Darfur. The peacekeeping force, known by the acronym UNAMID, is working with humanitarian groups in West Darfur and has established permanent patrols at refugee camps in South Darfur, he said.

"Increased numbers and, more importantly, increased capability will give UNAMID a chance to implement the wide-ranging mandate given to it by the Security Council," Le Roy said. "Above all, it will give UNAMID the tools to protect civilians as initially envisaged by the Security Council."

The United Nations plans to send a total of 26,000 peacekeepers to Darfur. But so far, fewer than 10,000 are on the ground. LeRoy said the operation especially needs more helicopters.