Sudan's Darfur offensive forces 78,000 to flee

At least 78,000 people and possibly as many as 130,000 have been driven from their homes during the Sudanese army's offensive in Darfur this year, the United Nations said on Thursday.

UN peacekeeping official Edmond Mulet told the Security Council that the army's "Operation Decisive Summer" against Darfur rebels "has resulted in high numbers of newly displaced people."

Aid groups have put the number of newly displaced at more than 78,000 and the United Nations is working to verify reports of as many as 130,000 people driven from their homes.

The Security Council is due to decide on June 24 on renewing the mandate of the UNAMID force until next year and a working group on the exit strategy is due to hold more meetings in the coming weeks.