UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Australia's new prime minister is accusing Sudan's government of blocking deployment of a U.N.-African Union peacekeeping force to help end a five-year conflict in Darfur that's killed more than 200,000 people.

After meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Kevin Rudd called Darfur "a continuing humanitarian tragedy" and said the Security Council needs to hold Sudan's government to account.

Rudd says he's agreed to send nine military officers to assist with preparations for the deployment of the force in Darfur, and that Australia would provide $4.58 million in humanitarian aid. Read more >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>