Sudan's foreign minister has rejected a charge by the United States that widespread atrocities taking place in the Darfur region qualify as genocide.

Mustafa Osman Ismail accused the U.S. of using the crisis in Darfur for political purposes in order to deflect attention from Iraq.

On Thursday, both President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell designated the violence as genocide.

Colin Powell testifies before the Senate foreign relations committee on Capitol Hill (AP Photo)
Colin Powell testifies before the Senate foreign relations committee on Capitol Hill (AP Photo)

"We have concluded that genocide has taken place in Darfur. We urge the international community to work with us to prevent and suppress acts of genocide,'' Bush said in a statement.

"Only outside action can stop the killing," Bush added.

Bush's statement followed similar comments from Powell, who testified before the U.S. Senate's foreign relations committee.

Critics say the Sudanese government has been supporting the Janjaweed, Arab militias accused of attacking Darfur's black residents and carrying out a brutal campaign to drive out the local population.

The government denies the charge.

Tens of thousands of Darfur residents have died and more than 1.2 million have been displaced from their homes, according to the report.

Powell said that under an international convention, Sudan must act to prevent acts of genocide, but "has failed to do so."

He said countries that have signed on to the accord may call on the United Nations to take action under the UN charter "as they consider appropriate for the prevention and suppression of acts of genocide."

Meanwhile, Pakistan, China and Algeria oppose a U.S. draft resolution threatening oil sanctions against Sudan.

"We just wonder whether the threats of sanctions or similar penal action will evoke the desired response from the government of Sudan," said Munir Akram, Pakistan's ambassador.

The three countries also objected Thursday to the draft's demand for a UN inquiry into whether genocide was being carried out.