To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of reports of increased Sudanese government military presence in the Abyei region; and if he will make a statement. (200931)

We are aware of reports of a military build up around Abyei. We plan to raise the resolution of Abyei’s status, and the installation of joint integrated units of the Sudanese armed forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army for the area’s protection, during forthcoming high-level contacts.