The Sudanese government has cleared the way for the United Nations to send in 3,000 U.N. police and military personnel troops and attack helicopters to Darfur to boost support for the African Union force already there. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon praised the announcement.

Ban Ki-moon: “This is a very positive sign, and I and African Union intend to move quickly to prepare for heavy support package and hybrid forces.”

Sudan has refused to agree to a proposed larger force of more than 20,000 peacekeepers.