Arab FMs criticize ICC prosecutor's charges against Sudanese president

www.chinaview.cn 2008-07-20 06:01:36

CAIRO, July 19 (Xinhua) --

Arab foreign ministers on Saturday lashed out at accusations made by the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, describing the move as "unacceptable" and "unbalanced."

Wrapping up an emergency meeting of the Arab League (AL) here late Saturday, the Arab foreign ministers adopted a draft resolution on the current dispute between Sudan and the ICC.

The Arab ministers said the move of the ICC chief prosecutor would undermine Sudan's sovereignty, stressing that only Sudanese courts have jurisdiction on this kind of issues.

The Cairo-based AL rejected any attempt to politicize the principles of international justice, said the resolution, expressing Arabs' solidarity with Sudan to protect the country's sovereignty, unity, security and stability.

On Monday, ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo formally requested an arrest warrant against al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

Sudan, which is not a signatory to the ICC, has rejected the ICC allegations against President al-Bashir, dismissing them as "null and false" and maintaining the ICC has no jurisdiction over Sudan.

On Friday, the Sudanese government also ruled out a settlement deal with the ICC on handing over two accused Sudanese officials in return for dropping the warrant arrest against al-Bashir.

The Arab foreign ministers also called on the UN Security Council to shoulder its responsibility in preserving the international peace and security.

The international body should be careful in dealing with conditions in Sudan to avoid undermining peace efforts to find a political settlement to the crisis in the restive region of Darfur, said the Arab ministers.

The 22-member Arab bloc also entrusted AL Secretary General Amr Moussa and a ministerial committee on Sudan to continue following up the Sudanese issue and submit a report.

At a press conference following the meeting, Moussa said the Arab foreign ministers have agreed on an action plan to tackle the crisis between Sudan and the ICC, without elaborating details of the plan.

The AL chief said it is important to coordinate with international organizations to settle the crisis.

"The Arabs will continue contacts with UN Secretary-General BanKi-moon and international bodies to exchange views about how to tackle this grave situation," said Moussa.

In addition, the current situation requires careful tackling by the Arab countries in cooperation with the African Union (AU), he said.

The AL chief said he will travel to Sudan on Sunday to meet with al-Bashir on the current crisis between his country and the international court.

The unbalanced accusations of the ICC chief prosecutor against al-Bashir would have "bad effects" on the stability of Sudan, said Moussa.

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