Sudanese presidency rejects ICC arrest warrant -- china.org.cn

Sudan's three-member presidency "absolutely rejects" the arrest warrant against the country's president issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha said Wednesday evening at a press conference in the capital's Friendship Hall.

Protestors take part in a rally supporting Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, March 4, 2009. Thousands of protestors massed in Khartoum Wednesday to protest at the International Criminal Court (ICC)'s arrest warrant against Beshir. ICC said on Wednesday it has issued an arrest warrant for Beshir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. [Xinhua]

"The Sudanese presidency absolutely rejects the arrest warrant issued by the so-called International Criminal Court," Taha said after a closed-door meeting of the three-member presidency, during which they discussed the latest developments of the Sudan-ICC disputes.

"The presidency will deal with this situation with strength, resolution and clearness," Taha said, adding that it is ready to respond to any challenge.

"The presidency is confident that the Sudanese people could overcome the ordeal with firmness and consciousness as usual," he said.

Meanwhile, he promised that the presidency will abide by the constitution and peace agreement signed in the past, including the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the Darfur Peace Agreement.

"The presidency will... ensure the stability and the security of international organizations," he said.

"As long as the foreigners observe the law, they will be respected," he added.

However, he warned that Sudan will not allow foreigners to undermine the country's national security under the cover of diplomatic immunity.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir attends a ceremony in Merowe, Sudan, March 3, 2009. The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague of the Netherlands issued an international arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on March 4, 2009. [Xinhua]

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

The Sudanese presidency consists of al-Bashir, First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit who is a former rebel leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) that controls the semi- autonomous southern Sudan and Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha.

The troika was formed under a power share scheme of CPA signed in 2005.

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