New York, US - Washington is 'deeply' concerned about the situation in Sudan's Darfur region, 'despite some modest progress on the ground,' the US State Department said in a statement here Thursday.

'Civilians continue to live in insecurity as a result of the ongoing fighting between government forces and the armed movements, continued aerial bombardments in violation of UN Security Council resolutions, as well as lawlessness and general banditry,' the statement said.

It recalled that one peacekeeper was killed and two others were injured last week when a unit with the UN/AU mission was attacked in Darfur.

The attacks bring the number of UN peacekeepers killed in Darfur to 34 since the mission went into service four years ago.

The State Department also noted that although there were some modest signs of progress in the region 'some fundamental issues remain unresolved,' adding 'The United States remains deeply concerned about the situation in Darfur.'

The statement further said that, 'the government in South Sudan said recently it was worried its neighbours to the north were not interested in peace as border skirmishes further strain an already tense situation in the region.'

Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir was accused by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of war crimes and genocide in Darfur.

However, Khartoum is not party to the Rome Statute that established the ICC.

Pana 18/11/2011