NEW YORK: U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Bolton has blocked a UN envoy from briefing the Security Council on grave human rights breaches taking place in Darfur, saying the council should take "stronger action" against the atrocities and not just talk about them.

The Security Council met for a briefing on the latest developments in Darfur after rebels in the western Sudanese region abducted a number of African Union peacekeeping troops and killed some of them.

Bolton, joined by the ambassadors of Algeria, China and Russia, prevented Juan Mendez, Secretary General Kofi Annan's special adviser for the prevention of genocide, from briefing the council on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur, despite a request by Annan and the other 11 council members states to hear what Mendez had to say.

Bolton said: "How many officials of the secretariat does it take to have a briefing?"

He added that council members already know that the situation in the Darfur region continues to deteriorate, and added "real action needs to be taken."

According to media reports, The U.S. is demanding tougher measures against Sudan and not just condemning statements by the UN.

Bolton was quoted as saying: "We have to consider whether the sanctions we have in place are working and whether other measures should be taken."

China, Russia and Algeria have so far blocked all council attempts to impose effective sanctions either against the Khartoum government or against the Khartoum-backed proxy Arab militia Janjaweed, which is accused of staging killings in Darfur, or Darfur rebel groups.

Non-Arab rebels took up arms against Khartoum in early 2003, accusing it of neglect and of monopolizing power and wealth. Khartoum responded by arming mostly Arab militias, who now stand accused of widespread killing, looting and burning of non-Arab villages.

In March, the council strengthened an arms embargo and imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on those who defy peace efforts. It also referred Sudan to the International Criminal Court, the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal.

Yet the Sudanese government isn't cooperating with the ICC and the sanctions do not appear to be working.

Mendez, who visited Darfur in late September, later briefed reporters on his findings.

Mendez said that regardless of the action the council decides to take in responding to the situation in Darfur, "be it through my report, press or through me directly, what really matters is that action be taken as soon as possible."

Mendez warned that if action is not taken soon, another humanitarian crisis similar to the one that took place in 2003-2004 in the region was most likely to take place again.

Mendez said Sudanese officials were only taking "superficial measures to stop the situation in Darfur from escalating."

Mendez added that human rights abuses, which might amount to genocide if no action is taken, are occurring in Darfur right now, further deploring Khartoum's refusal to cooperate with the ICC.

"We can not let the Sudanese government get away with that. But I have not seen any indication of the international community telling the Sudanese government: 'you don't have a choice; you have to cooperate with the ICC.'"

He accused a special court established by the Sudanese government to try suspected Darfur criminals, of being "inefficient and meaningless."

"We are very disappointed with the outcome of trials held by this court," he said. "I only hope that the Security Council takes precautionary measures to prevent the situation from amounting to genocides which took place two years ago."

French Ambassador Jean-Marc de La Sabliere told reporters: "The majority of the council wished to hear what Mr. Mendez had to say, but four delegations were opposed to it.

"I deeply regret this situation. It is a matter of principle that a special adviser of the secretary general be heard when the secretary general deems

it necessary."