Moussa: Arab League "deeply concerned" about ICC move against al-Bashir

Source: Xinhua | 03-05-2009 09:23

CAIRO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) is "deeply concerned" about the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, AL Secretary General Amr Moussa said Wednesday.

Moussa made the remarks at a press conference following an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers here on Wednesday on the ICC move against al-Bashir.

The Arab League was "greatly disturbed" by the ICC decision, said Moussa, adding the pan-Arab body supports the sovereignty of Sudan.

The ICC decision is a grave development and the AL will support the immunity for heads of state, added the AL chief.

The Arab foreign ministers' meeting, hours after the ICC made the decision, was held on the sidelines of a joint Arab-Southern American foreign ministers' conference which was in session here at the AL headquarters.

According to earlier report, the AL has decided to dispatch a delegation to the UN Security Council to discuss means of suspending the ICC move.

Egypt on Wednesday also expressed its concern over the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against al-Bashir, the official MENA news agency reported.

Egypt is greatly concerned about the negative impacts the ICC move might have on the security and stability of Sudan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit was quoted as saying.

At such a critical time of Sudan's history, the UN Security Council should shoulder its responsibilities to achieve peace in the country, Abul Gheit said.

The top Egyptian diplomat urged the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting to suspend the enforcement of the ICC decision, saying constructive talks are needed to deal with the challenges.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Hague-based ICC issued an arrest warrant against al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country's restive western region of Darfur between 2003 and 2008.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei