The Sudanese government has arrested at least 14 military and security officials for alleged crimes in Darfur - the first such arrests in the conflict there.
Sudan's Justice Minister, Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin, said Monday the detainees are accused of crimes that include rape and murder.
The announcement comes as the U.N. Security Council is expected to vote this week on a French proposal to send Darfur suspects to the International Criminal Court.
Sudan is opposed to the draft, saying its courts are competent to prosecute those guilty of crimes.
The United Nations says the two year conflict in Darfur between black rebels and mostly government-backed Arab militias has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced nearly two million people.
The United States calls the violence genocide.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
