Film director Steven Spielberg has quit his Beijing Olympics role over China's lack of progress in resolving the Darfur conflict.

More than 200,000 people have been killed and a further 2.5 million have fled their homes in the five-year conflict between Sudan's Arab-dominated government and Darfur's ethnic African rebels.

Human rights activists have accused China of being partly responsible for Darfur's chaos because of its staunch diplomatic backing of the Sudanese government.

Spielberg, one of the most influential people in Hollywood, was artistic director for the Games. He said his conscience would "not allow me to continue with business as usual".

His decision could lead others involved in the Games to pull out or reconsider their roles.

In a statement released to trade magazine Variety, Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue with business as usual."

He continued: "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies but doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur.

"Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these ongoing crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more to end the continuing suffering there.

"China's economic, military and diplomatic ties to the government of Sudan continue to provide it with the opportunity and obligation to press for change."

Spielberg's role has been in doubt since last spring, when he sent a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao urging greater action in Darfur. He did not threaten to end his involvement in the Games, but observers implied that would be an option.

Hollywood actress and human rights campaigner Mia Farrow said she had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement with the games.

She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week.

"Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games."

Prince Charles has already taken a stand against the "oppressive" Chinese regime by not attending the Games.

© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.