Sir Julian Lewis: Can the Minister explain to the House what is the attitude of other states in the region towards this conflict? Is there any prospect that they could unite and possibly make some form of physical intervention to separate the warring sides in Sudan?

[The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Stephen Doughty): Obviously it is not for me to speak to the individual policies of countries in the region, but the right hon. Gentleman will know that, regrettably, to date it has not been possible to find a consensus in the United Nations Security Council on a way forward. We push for that and always attempt to do so in our engagement as the penholder – we will do so again today, particularly in the light of events – but ultimately it is the parties to the conflict that are responsible for what is happening. We are in direct contact and are urging restraint.]