By Alfred De Montesquiou
Associated Press
Monday, March 26, 2007; A12

ES SALLAM, Sudan, March 25 -- European leaders called Sunday for new international sanctions against Sudan over its treatment of civilians in Darfur, where the new U.N. humanitarian chief warned that efforts to help refugees were at risk of collapse.

Speaking at a refugee camp on his first tour of Darfur since becoming the United Nations' top humanitarian official, John Holmes said such efforts could fail if the situation deteriorates and aid workers are prevented from doing their work. Some 45,000 people have taken refuge in the camp from the region's spiraling violence.

"This humanitarian effort is fragile," he said.

In Berlin, British Prime Minister Tony Blair called for a new U.N. resolution expanding sanctions against Sudan, and said a no-fly zone over the Darfur region should be considered.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, also in Berlin for a European Union summit, called the suffering of people in Darfur "unbearable" and recommended stronger sanctions against the Sudanese government for not stopping violence in the region

"We need to get a new resolution in the United Nations which extends the sanctions regime," Blair said. "We need to consider, in my view, a no-fly zone," he said, adding that "the situation in Darfur is intolerable."

Holmes, who met with delegates of international aid groups during his weekend visit, said problems such as obstruction by Sudan's government and insecurity on the ground have created an environment where "morale is fragile" and could push aid workers to leave.

"The risk is high," he said. "It is not imminent, but if things deteriorate, people may not want to maintain their efforts."

U.N. officials say some 4 million people in Darfur have been caught in the midst of fighting among rebels, the government and the government-backed Janjaweed militia.

"The suffering there is unbearable," said Merkel, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union. "And I say openly: We must consider stronger sanctions."

At least 450,000 people have died from disease and violence and more than 2.5 million have been displaced in four years of fighting in Darfur.

The United Nations says the conflict has driven 86,000 from their homes this year and attributes the displacement of the vast majority of the new refugees to violence by central Sudanese government forces and their Janjaweed allies. The Arab militia has been accused of atrocities against ethnic Africans.

Former rebels aligned with Minni Minawi, who signed a peace deal with the government last May and has joined forces with Sudan's government, are also blamed for the violence.

Es Sallam, the refugee camp visited by Holmes, is one of three camps near the town of El Fasher in North Darfur state. Aid workers are negotiating for space for a fourth camp to accommodate the influx of refugees.