Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take in their capacity as penholder at the meeting of the UN Security Council in November to ensure regional actors are taking steps to prevent the escalation of the conflict in Sudan.

The UK uses its position as penholder at the UN Security Council to call on Member States to refrain from external interference which foments conflict and instability; for instance during our explanation of vote following the adoption of resolution 2750 on 11 September to renew the UN Darfur arms embargo and sanctions regime. The UK will assume the UN Security Council Presidency from 1 November. There is an open briefing on Sudan planned, which will reiterate our calls to the warring parties to cease hostilities and halt escalation of violence.