KHARTOUM - Condemnation poured in on Monday after a weekend attack on African Union peacekeepers in Darfur left 20 dead, several injured and dozens missing.

It was the worst attack on AU peacekeepers in western Sudan since they were deployed in 2004.

The following is a sampling of statements reacting to the attack:


ARAB LEAGUE

"Such criminal acts will not weaken the international and African determination to resume the negotiations between the (Sudanese) government and the armed movements in Tripoli on October 27."


BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY DAVID MILIBAND

"These are soldiers who have gone to the region to protect the innocent from violence. Attacking them is a callous and destructive act. This latest atrocity underlines the need for all sides in the conflict to commit to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to join the political process. This can be the only route to lasting peace in this traumatised region."


EGYPTIAN FOREIGN MINISTER AHMED ABOUL GHEIT

"This confirms the need to send the African and the hybrid troops as soon as possible," the official Middle East News Agency quoted him as saying.


FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER BERNARD KOUCHNER

France "condemned the attack most strongly", calling it a "murderous and unacceptable" act. "The international community should work tirelessly to ensure that those responsible do not go unpunished," the statement said.


U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON

"The (U.N.) Secretary-General condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent attack on African Union peacekeepers in Haskanita, South Darfur and calls for the perpetrators to be held fully accountable for this outrageous act. He called the attack 'brutal and shocking.'"


U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TOM CASEY

"We condemn this attack. Obviously there is no reason for any forces, whether they are aligned with the government or the rebels to be attacking AU peacekeepers.

"This is a deplorable act. I know that the AU has not at this point attributed the attack to any specific individuals but whoever is responsible should be held accountable."