United Nations, DEC 16, SPA -- The U.N. Security Council passed a presidential statement Friday on the worsening situation in Darfur and neighboring Chad. The Security Council expresses its concern regarding the threat that the increase in military activities of armed groups in eastern Chad poses for the safety of the civilian population and of humanitarian personnel and the maintenance of their operations in the eastern part of the country, said Qatari Ambassador Nassir al-Nasser. The council stressed the ongoing need for humanitarian aid to reach the refugees and internally displaced people without hindrance, calling on the Chadian government to do all it can to protect its civilian population. The council also expressed concern with the breakdown in relations between the Chadian and Sudanese governments and how the breakdown can increase instability in the region. The U.N. Secretariat will be delivering a report shortly after a fact-finding mission to the region to discuss recommendations on improving security conditions on the Chad side of the border with Sudan.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/411567