UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he is worried at reports of widespread abuses against civilians in Sudan, a UN spokesman said in New York Tuesday.

    The reports included "killings, rape and the burning and looting of entire villages," spokesman Fred Eckhard quoted him as saying.

    "Insecurity is also severely hampering humanitarian assistance efforts as many of the 1 million civilians affected by the conflict remain beyond the reach of relief workers," he said.

    He called on all parties to grant humanitarian organizations safe and unimpeded access, and finalize an inclusive cease-fire without further delay.

    UN humanitarian organizations estimate that 4 million Sudanese have been displaced internally or have been forced to leave the country, because of the long-running factional conflict. Enditem