ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The African Union (AU) has decided to expand the number of African mission in Sudan's Darfur to assist more effectively in the restoration of peace and security in the region, said an AU communique here on Thursday.

    The mission shall consist of 3,320 personnel, including 2,341 military personnel, 815 civilian police and 164 civilian staff, said the communique after a one-day meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council.

    The military personnel will include 450 unarmed military observers, a major increase from the 80 currently deployed.

    It said the enhanced mission shall be headed by a special representative of the AU Commission, who shall ensure the overall direction and coordination of the activities of the mission and shall maintain close contact with the Sudanese parties, as well asthe United Nations and all other concerned actors to ensure harmonization and coordination of efforts.

    The Sudanese government has expressed its support for the enhancement of the mission and pledged full cooperation in this regard.

    However, the AU has not given the date for sending more troops to the Darfur region.

    Concerning the upcoming third round of the inter-Sudanese peacetalks in Abuja, Nigeria, the communique urged the parties to demonstrate the required flexibility and to work with determination toward a lasting and comprehensive political settlement of the conflict in Darfur.

    It called on the parties to extend full cooperation to the AU-led mediation team.

    The Darfur conflict has escalated into what the United Nations called the world's current worst humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people killed or displaced. Enditem