US blasts Sudan over expulsion of aid workers

United Nations: The rapidly expanding humanitarian crisis threatened by Sudan's expulsion of aid workers is putting intense pressure on the UN Security Council to act.

The United States on Friday condemned Sudan's decision as threatening the lives of more than 2 million people already at risk of starvation and death.

The US and France have been prodding the council for quick action but opposition from members, including Sudanese allies China and Libya, have blocked attempts to reach an agreement behind closed doors.

France pressed the 15-nation council to issue a non-binding statement on Friday condemning the Sudanese government's decision to expel 6,500 relief workers from 13 of the largest aid groups.

The UN human rights office is to examine whether Sudan's decision to expel aid groups constitutes a breach of basic human rights and possibly a war crime, a spokesman said on Friday.