UNITED NATIONS, March 9: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has called for strengthening the international force in Sudan's Darfur region, saying that the world is not moving fast enough to deal with the "appalling situation".

"There have been a lot of efforts on the humanitarian side, and by the African Union on the security side, which go in the right direction. But they are not enough," Mr Annan said in a statement issued after a meeting on the situation.

"I was glad to hear from Council members that they hope to have a new resolution in the course of this week, which will include agreement on a mechanism for holding individuals accountable for these dreadful crimes. That is good. We must send a clear message that the world is not going to tolerate them," he added.

A commission of inquiry, set up last year by Mr Annan, found there had been war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by both sides, but primarily by Government forces and militias, and said their perpetrators should be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Noting that everyone agreed that a stronger international presence on the ground is crucial, Mr Annan said " clearly everyone's first preference" is for the AU to stay in the lead, "but for the rest of us to give it more effective help, while keeping other options open."