Ban "deeply troubled" on Darfur mass rape allegations.

NEW YORK, Nov 17 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply troubled" about persistent allegations of mass rape in Thabit, North Darfur, Sudan. The heavy presence of military and police in Thabit made a conclusive investigation difficult for the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), a statement by Ban's press office said on Monday. UNAMID has since then attempted to gain further access to shed light on what happened. Ban is concerned that after intense consultations with the Government in Khartoum and with local authorities in Darfur, UNAMID was yesterday denied access to Thabit. "Only a full investigation by UNAMID will help shed light over these serious allegations," he said. The UN official therefore urged the Government of Sudan to grant UNAMID unfettered access, without further delay, to Thabit and its population so that these reports can be verified. (end) mao.bs

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