Jimmy Carter blocked from meeting Darfur tribal chief

KEBKABIYA, Sudan, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter had a heated exchange with Sudanese security who prevented him from visiting a Darfur tribal leader in Kebkabiya town, North Darfur on Wednesday.

Carter is in Darfur with a delegation of elder statesmen.

Kebkabiya security chief Omar Sheikh told Carter in a raised voice he could not meet the tribal leader because it was not on his programme.

Carter angrily replied: "I don't think you have the authority to do so. We are going to go anyway."

The tense moment came on the second day of their Darfur visit.