Violence in Darfur decreasing - Annan

Violence in Sudan's Darfur region has diminished greatly over the past year, partly because militia have run out of targets after razing countless villages, United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan said.

His report to the UN Security Council said active combat had been replaced by intimidation and fear, perpetuated by an ever-present militia when homeless people leave refugee camps.

"The decrease in attacks on civilians may also be a function of a reduced number of targets," Annan said.

"So many villages have been destroyed since the war began that there are now fewer locations for militia to strike."

At least 180 000 people in Darfur have died from violence, hunger and disease and two million have been driven out of their homes, most into squalid camps or neighbouring Chad.