Hu calls for bigger UN role in Darfur

Chinese President Hu Jintao told Sudan President Omar al-Bashir to give the UN a bigger role in resolving the Darfur conflict, Reuters reported. "Darfur is a part of Sudan and you have to resolve this problem," Hu said Friday. The President also hailed stronger economic ties and cooperation between the two countries. He also pledged US$4.8 million in humanitarian aid, wrote off US$70 million in debts and extended a US$12.8 million loan to Sudan. Sudan is China's third-largest African trading partner and a significant source of crude oil imports. Hu visited Sudan as part of an eight-nation African tour.