Step one-half accomplished
UN says Sudan agrees Darfur steps
The United Nations says Sudan has agreed to a plan to tackle the crisis in Darfur, where thousands have been killed by pro-government militias.
The measures include steps to disarm the militias and improve security.
UN special envoy Jan Pronk said if the proposals were implemented, he was hopeful Sudan could avoid UN sanctions.
The African Union says it hopes to send its first peacekeeping troops next week to Darfur, where more than one million people have fled their homes.
Progress needed
Sudan says it is willing to co-operate with the AU but there is no formal agreement on a peacekeeping force.
On Wednesday, thousands of government supporters protested in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, against foreign intervention in Darfur.
