WORLD IN BRIEF

Annan Plans Sudan Visit To Assess Darfur Crisis

KHARTOUM, Sudan -- U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan will visit Sudan to assess a conflict in the western Darfur region that has been described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, officials in Sudan said Thursday.

Rebels launched a revolt in Darfur last year accusing the Khartoum government of neglect and arming Arab militias who loot and burn African villages. The government denies the charge.

The fighting has displaced more than 1 million people and forced more than 150,000 refugees to neighboring Chad.

"We understand, yes, he will be visiting Sudan in the near future. The date and the itinerary remain to be confirmed, but we look forward to his visit," said Kevin Kennedy, the United Nations' acting resident humanitarian coordinator for Sudan. He did not give a date for the visit.

Sudan's state minister for humanitarian affairs, Mohamed Yousif Abdalla said earlier that Annan would visit Sudan in July to assess the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur.

Annan told reporters at the United Nations that he plans to visit Sudan "sometime soon" but did not confirm a report in the country's al-Anbaa daily that he will travel to Darfur for a firsthand assessment of the conflict and the humanitarian crisis.

Africa

• ARUSHA, Tanzania -- A U.N. tribunal trying the alleged leaders of Rwanda's 1994 genocide convicted a former Rwandan mayor for his role in the slaughter, sentencing him to 30 years in prison.

Sylvestre Gacumbitsi, 57, was convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda of genocide, extermination and rape for ordering the killings of minority Tutsis in the southeastern commune of Rusumo, where he was mayor.

"Under Gacumbitsi's instructions the killings took place. . . . He also facilitated the transport of attackers and weapons," presiding Judge Andresia Vaz said as the verdict was delivered.

The Middle East

• JERUSALEM -- Israel published a proposal for an 80-foot-deep, 400-foot-wide, 2 1/2-mile-long trench between Egypt and Gaza aimed at blocking arms smuggling after Israel completes a planned withdrawal from the coastal strip next year.

The trench would cost millions, and military officials said it remains unclear whether more Palestinian homes would have to be demolished to make room for it.

Palestinian officials denounced the trench plan, saying Israel is trying to choke Gaza on all sides. "Ditches and canals in Gaza, that's how you turn the Palestinians into prisoners in their own cities," said Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat. The plan still needs cabinet approval.