Member of African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) looks out of window of an AU helicopter as it flys over southern Darfur, 17 Jul 2007

A team of researchers has discovered an ancient underground lake in Sudan's war-ravaged Darfur region, raising hope of easing the area's water scarcity.

The researchers, from Boston University in the United States, hope to drill 1,000 wells across the drought-ridden territory, in an effort to ease tensions about water and to help the region's peace process.

Geologist Farouk El-Baz led the discovery using satellite and radar data from space. He said the lake measures about the size of Lake Erie, one of the American Great Lakes.

El-Baz said scientists will search the area to locate the best place for drilling the wells. The neighboring government of Egypt has pledged to drill the first 20 wells in Darfur.

More than four years of fighting in the western Sudanese region has killed an estimated 200,000 people and displaced more than two million others.

Sudan's government is accused of arming Arab militias blamed for many atrocities in the region. The Sudanese government denies the charge.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.