British Prime Minister Tony Blair has appealed to European Union leaders to do more to end the violence in Sudan's western region of Darfur.

Mr. Blair made the appeal in a letter to his 24 EU counterparts.  In the letter, he urges them to pressure the Sudanese government and rebel groups into stopping their civil war immediately.

The British leader says that if Sudan responds to the pressure, the EU should be prepared to offer the country financial assistance and debt relief to help with reconstruction.

But, Mr. Blair says the window of opportunity for Sudan should not remain open forever.  He says the EU should isolate Khartoum if it fails to move on Darfur.

Mr. Blair's letter was released Sunday to coincide with an international day of solidarity with Darfur.

British religious leaders marked the occasion by holding an interfaith vigil outside Mr. Blair's London office to pray for peace in Darfur.