To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of statements by the Sudanese Government that 3,000 United Nations peacekeepers will be allowed into Darfur; whether the deployment is to include (a) attack helicopters and (b) armoured personnel carriers to help African Union forces; under what remit these peacekeepers will serve; and if she will make a statement. (132598)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary welcomed the Sudanese acceptance of the UN’s heavy support package (HSP) for Darfur at a Security Council discussion on 16 April. However, it is only a step towards the full African Union (AU)/UN hybrid operation that was agreed six months ago in Addis Ababa. We are now looking to the Sudanese to ensure they honour their commitments through the speedy implementation of the HSP and hybrid force.

The HSP will include attack helicopters. Armoured personnel carriers are provided through a light support package which is already deploying. The HSP will prepare the way for a foil AU/UN hybrid force, as well as reinforce the police and civilian elements of the current AU mission.