Darfur- Peacekeepers have refused to leave a rebel-held town in Darfur, despite warnings from the Sudanese government that an attack is imminent.

About 5,000 civilians took shelter at the UN-African Union base after the government said the army was preparing to take Muhajiriya from rebels.

Mediators are talking to both sides to try to prevent more fighting.

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) seized Muhajiriya two weeks ago, sparking fierce fighting, including air strikes.

The six-year conflict has left at least 2 million people homeless.

On Sunday, Khartoum had warned peacekeepers to leave the town.

The Unamid force remains at only about half of its planned 26,000 strength, a year after the UN took joint control of the mission.

The recent fighting around Muhajiriya has marked an escalation in the ongoing Darfur conflict, almost six years after it began.

It comes as the International Criminal Court is considering whether to issue an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir on charges of orchestrating war crimes in Darfur.