Sudan agrees to 26,000 UN troops in Darfur

"The international community should take a long-term perspective, work out at an early date a development strategy for Darfur in consultation with the government of Sudan, and provide more input to economic and social development in Darfur, so as to fundamentally improve the livelihood of the people and uproot the source of conflicts," the ambassador added.

Although the resolution does not mention sanctions in the event of Sudan's non-compliance, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown threatened to impose them if the killing continues. The Independent reports that Mr. Brown sent a "blunt warning" to the Sudanese government, which up until April had repeatedly denied international troops access to Darfur, not to interfere with UN forces.

"We must be clear: if any party blocks progress and the killings continue, I and others will redouble our efforts to impose further sanctions, " he said. "I am not prepared to let this tragedy continue without action."

Ban says the mission will "make a clear and positive difference," despite numerous concessions that had to be made to bring Sudan to the table. In addition to removing the threat of sanctions from the Security Council resolution, other areas were scaled back as well. UNAMID forces cannot seize and dispose of illegal weapons, for example; they can only monitor them, reports Reuters. After participating in negotiations, Sudanese officials have agreed to cooperate with the resolution.

"[The resolution] is practical. It's taken into consideration most of our concerns – we are comfortable with the resolution," Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol told Reuters.

"We can live with it," he said, adding the government had no problems with the timetable of deployment, which is expected to take up to a year to get the entire force in place.

"Now that we have been part of the discussion we will definitely cooperate with it," he added.

While many have expressed hope that UNAMID forces may spell the end of Darfur's troubles, longtime observers caution that concrete action must follow. British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry noted that the Khartoum government and rebels have broken agreements with the UN Security Council before, and this latest resolution is only the first step, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"The catastrophe of Darfur will not be ended by the raising of 15 hands in this chamber. The suffering will not be ended by our vote," he said.

"But today's decision and the actions that flow from it offer the prospect of a new start for Darfur. That is our hope. That is our goal."

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