KHARTOUM, Aug. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan called Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir on Saturday, praising Sudan's efforts to end the crisis in the Darfur region.

    During their talks, Annan said UN special envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk has presented him several reports, giving a positive comment on the situation in Darfur.

    Annan expressed his hope that the Sudanese government would make continuous efforts for the peace process in Darfur and southern Sudan.

    Annan added that the United Nations and the international community are willing at all times to extend help to Sudan in realizing peace, rebuilding and development in the Darfur region.

    President Bashir said delegations from various countries and international organizations have visited Darfur in recent days and he was pleased to see their positive comments on the situation there.

    He said the situation in Darfur is improving and large numbers of refugees have started returning home.

    The Sudanese government will make continuous efforts to realize peace and security in Darfur and other Sudanese regions, he promised. Enditem

Darfur action plan being implemented: UN envoy

    KHARTOUM, Aug. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- UN envoy to Sudan Jan Pronk said on Saturday that the UN-Sudan action plan made earlier this month is being implemented.

    Speaking at a press conference after a delegation led by Pronk and Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail wrapped up a three-day visit in Western Darfur State, Pronk said the delegation agreed that the Sudanese government is making efforts to implement the action plan, designed to help Sudan undertake a step-by-step implementation of the Security Council resolution on the crisis.

    According to Pronk, the delegation believed that the situation in refugee camps was stable, with the refugees getting basic education, sanitation and clean water.

    However, the delegation pointed out that it did not mean that the situation in other places that were not visited was also stable.

    The delegation said the refugees were somewhat worried about their future, and therefore, the Sudanese government has to make efforts to restore the confidence of the refugees.

    Pronk said his delegation will exchange views on the situations in Darfur with the two delegations sent to Northern Darfur State and Southern Darfur State respectively, and he will then draft a report to the UN Security Council.

    The three delegations began their three-day visit on Aug. 26 to review the implementation of the UN-Sudan action plan.

    Darfur has been beset by an 18-month conflict between rebel forces of local black tribes, the government and the Arab militia Janjaweed since February 2003.

    According to UN figures, the conflict has killed up to 50,000 people and displaced nearly 1.5 million people, triggering one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Enditem