A resolution approved Saturday by the United Nations Security Council says Sudan could face sanctions unless the country acts quickly to stop the deadly violence in Darfur by Arab militias.

The resolution, passed by a vote of 11-0, supports expanding the role of the multinational African Union troops in the Sudan. The added responsibilities would allow them to work proactively in preventing the spread of further attacks and act as mediators.




The resolution also allows for the appointment of an international commission to investigate reports of human rights violations in Darfur.

The international community accuses the Islamic Sudanese government of arming Arabic militia groups, known as Janjaweed, who are fighting African non-Muslim rebels in the western region of Darfur.

The militias have attacked villages, killing 50,000 people and displacing more than 1.2 million people, some to neighbouring Chad.

On Friday, the government of Sudan claimed that U.S. support for rebel groups has made it impossible to reach a compromise in peace talks.

Talks between the Sudanese government, the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement collapsed on Wednesday after three weeks. They won't restart for about a month.

The talks are aimed at ending 19 months of conflict in Darfur.

Prime Minister Paul Martin will focus on the crisis in Sudan during his first address as prime minister to the UN General Assembly next week.

Martin is expected to call for international support for the creation of an African peacekeeping force.

Canada has given $25 million to Sudan since October 2003, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.