We will 'play our part' in Africa, says PM

The Prime Minister called today for further action to end the genocide in Darfur, calling it one of the "great tragedies of our time".

Speaking at a Q+A session at his Party's conference, Mr Brown said that he didn't want to look back say "we should have acted, we could have acted but we didn't act."

UN resolutions had to be backed up by the biggest force that's ever been put into Africa before starting political talks, he said.

"The message we've got to send out is that we are prepared to back up the struggle of Africans for basic rights and economic and social freedom - whether it is in Darfur or Zimbabwe - we are prepared to play our part."

Mr Brown also called on regional powers China, and the rest of the world to use their influence against the "illegitimate and repressive regime" in Burma.

Mr Brown said:

"I want to see all the pressures of the world put on this regime now - sanctions, the pressure of the UN, pressure from China and all the countries in the region, India, pressure from the whole of the world."

Responding to other questions, the PM also said that a referendum on the European treaty is not necessary as there is "no fundamental change" in the British relationship with Europe.

Discussions in Brussels earlier this year secured British "red lines" in a number of areas that meant there would be no need for a referendum.

Mr Brown said he believed people will see that Britain achieved all its objectives, "and when we do so we can have a further debate on it."