Cairo, Egypt, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The Sudanese government Sunday accused Israel of supporting rebels in the troubled Darfur region in western Sudan.

Foreign Minister Mustafa Osman Ismail told reporters in Cairo his government had "information that confirms media reports of Israeli support."

Ismail, who is taking part in an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss the Darfur crisis, said he was "sure the next few days will reveal a lot of Israeli contacts with the rebels."

He pointed out that the Israeli ambassador to the U.N. had "started his talk about the Israeli barrier (at the U.N.) by speaking on Darfur and what the Arabs are doing there, as well as moving the Jewish communities to spread what is being said about Darfur."

The Sudanese minister insisted Israel had "recently become active in entering the Darfur issue from different sides, whether through its active presence in (neighboring) Eritrea, or through its active diplomatic missions."

A U.N. Security Council resolution gave the Sudanese government until Aug. 30 to restore peace in Darfur or face sanctions.