Sudan's government and rebels from the war-torn Darfur region have opened a new round of peace talks, but there are no signs the two sides are closer to resolving the 20-month conflict.
During talks Monday in Abuja, Nigeria, participants traded accusations of ceasefire violations. Rebels also refused to sign a humanitarian accord, insisting security issues are dealt with first.
International aid groups say more access is needed to reach more than 1.5 million civilians displaced from violence in Darfur.
The United Nations says 70,000 people have died just in the past seven months as a result of the conflict, which erupted early last year from a rebel uprising.
The U.N. Security Council plans to meet next month in Nairobi, Kenya to discuss the crisis.
Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.