Leading British film and music stars urged the British government Saturday to help end fighting in the violence-wracked Sudanese region of Darfur.

Musicians Elton John and Annie Lennox, musician-campaigner Bob Geldof, and actress Emma Thompson were among those who signed a letter accusing the international community of failing to act.

"We call on our government to move Darfur to the top of its priority list until a U.N. force is deployed and the people of Darfur are protected," they wrote.

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The conflict in Darfur began in early 2003 when ethnic African tribes revolted against the Khartoum government. U.N. officials have estimated the death toll at between 180,000 and 200,000.

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