The Sudanese government continues to attack rebels in Darfur despite a pledge to halt military operations in the region, African Union officials said Sunday.

Union mediators, who are in charge of monitoring a truce, had threatened to refer Sudan and the rebels to the UN Security Council if the two sides failed to meet a Saturday deadline to cease fighting.

"The government has pledged to halt all [current] military hostilities in Darfur and asked that the rebels do the same," UN spokeswoman Radhia Achouri said following a meeting Sunday between Sudanese government representatives, UN officials and Western diplomats.

Achouri said the government also agreed to withdraw troops from some areas after consulting with the African Union on exact locations.

However, a spokesman for two Darfur rebel groups said the Sudanese military and the pro-government Janjaweed militia were continuing to launch attacks around the villages of Mala and Arla.

Sudan's foreign minister said government forces will be told to stop fighting immediately unless they come under attack.

Achouri said the UN was asked by the government to convey a request to the rebels to cease their attacks, "so now we are going to relay this to the other party."

There was no immediate response from the rebel groups.