Demonstrators across 30 countries urge world to end Darfur crisis

Source: CCTV.com | 04-30-2007 09:40

In over 30 countries across the globe, demonstrators are joining hands to urge the international community to end the atrocities and conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan.

This, in a global day of action focusing on the region's humanitarian crisis. After four years of the conflict, the death toll stands at nearly 200,000. And those displaced by the continuing violence number some 2.5 million.

In Cairo, an exhibition has been held to raise awareness about the conflict in Darfur. On display are photographs and paintings by members of Egypt's Sudanese community, many of whom are refugees from southern Sudan and Darfur.

A two-metre-high hourglass filled with artificial blood was on display at the Global Day for Darfur rally in London. (Sang Tan/Associated Press)

Meanwhile,in London, more than three thousand protestors gathered outside Prime Minister Tony Blair's Downing Street residence. They handed over a letter calling for a stronger peacekeeping force in the Darfur region.

Over in Berlin, about one hundred demonstrators gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to participate in the global day of action for Darfur.

In Rome, dozens of Darfur refugees marched towards the Coliseum, calling upon the global community to immediately deploy U.N. troops to Darfur.

Organizers chose the date - April 29 - as the approximated fourth anniversary since the start of fighting. The conflict has turned the region into the world's largest humanitarian disaster.

But on Saturday, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi cautioned the West over any involvement in the conflict in western Darfur. And he restated his opposition to international peacekeepers.

Editor:Du Xiaodan