Airport renovation halted in Darfur after attack

Tuesday June 22nd, 2004.

KHARTOUM, June 22, 2004 (dpa) -- Renovation work on an airport in Dafur was halted Tuesday after rebels attacked the site and stole building materials, the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.

The rebels attacked Geneina airport in west Darfur and seized vehicles loaded with materials, Tigani al-Fadhil, an official at the foreign affairs ministry, told daily newspaper al-Anbaa.

Al-Fadhil said the renovation would upgrade standards at the airport, an important port of entry for humanitarian aid to conflict- torn Dafur.

There were no details on the number of vehicles seized or casualty figures.