The African Union has extended the deadline to reach a peace agreement for Darfur by 48 hours, the chief AU mediator has said.
The extension to the talks that have dragged on for two years comes a day after the United States, Britain and Libya sent top envoys to press the Sudanese government and rebels to a compromise.
The Sudanese government has agreed to the peace proposal. The rebels want regional autonomy and more power in the central government.
A handful of African leaders are expected to arrive on Wednesday to help press the parties to agree to a peace deal.
The announcement came from Chief AU mediator Salim Ahmed Salim late on Tuesday night.
Asked what would happen if there is no agreement, he said, "there will be continued killing, continued suffering, and all the destruction that has been going on.