Darfur Peace Talks Go Ahead Without Crucial Leaders

SIRTE, Libya - Negotiators working to end four years of violence in the western Sudanese region of Darfur ploughed on Sunday despite predictions of failure by host Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi.

Although the Sudanese government declared a unilateral ceasefire at the start of the meeting on Saturday, key rebel groups have boycotted the talks in the Mediterranean city of Sirte sponsored by the African Union and United Nations.

"We can't talk about success or failure at this stage. The most important thing is that the process has begun," said AU spokesman Noureddine Mezni.