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The Hague issues arrest warrant for Sudan's Bashir for war crimes
By The Associated Press
Tags: darfur, israel news 

The International Criminal court issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Wednesday for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

The decision against Bashir, the most senior figure pursued by the Hague-based court since it was set up in 2002, could spark more turmoil in Sudan and the surrounding region.

The court said it did not find sufficient grounds to include the count of genocide in Bashir's arrest warrant, but indicted Bashir on seven counts for war crimes, crimes against humanity, murder, forcible displacement and other crimes.
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Sudan dismissed the ICC decision, with a presidential adviser telling state television that it was part of a "neo-colonialism" plan.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in central Khartoum to protest against the arrest warrant.

Tension also mounted in Darfur, where UN officials said hundreds of Sudanese government troops paraded through the regional capital El Fasher in a show of strength.

"It looked like a reminder to the population that they are in control ... The message was 'We are here. Mind your behaviour,'" said one official who asked not to be named.

The official said soldiers drove through the settlement in armored personnel carriers and "technical" pick-ups with machine guns mounted on the back. Jet fighters also flew low over the town during the morning, the official added.

The court's move could hurt prospects for peace in Sudan and pit Western powers against backers of the Khartoum government.

Bashir has dismissed the allegations made by the ICC, the world's first permanent court for prosecuting war crimes, as part of a Western conspiracy.

"They can eat it [the warrant]," he told a crowd of cheering supporters in northern Sudan on Tuesday.

China, the African Union and the Arab League suggest an indictment could destabilise the region, worsen the Darfur conflict and threaten a troubled peace deal between north Sudan and the semi-autonomous south - potentially rich in oil.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo accuses Bashir of orchestrating a campaign of genocide in Sudan's western region of Darfur, starting in 2003.

U.N. officials say as many as 300,000 people have been killed in the Darfur conflict since 2003, while Khartoum says 10,000 have died.

A further 2.7 million people are estimated to have been uprooted by the conflict, which began when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government.

Violence has spiked in Darfur in the months leading up to the ICC decision. Sudanese government officials have said they expect Darfur rebels to step up attacks after the court's announcement.
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  1.   Durban II will immediately condemn the order 17:11  |  Christopher 04/03/09
  2.   Bashir Pol Pot 17:47  |  baurat 04/03/09
  3.   When an arrest warrant will be issued against the Israeli leaders 18:03  |  BIG 04/03/09
  4.   war crimes 18:20  |  mom 04/03/09
  5.   War criminals 18:22  |  Sean 04/03/09
  6.   How disappointing 19:15  |  Axel 04/03/09
  7.   What about the Israeli Criminals 20:02  |  ID 04/03/09
  8.   There Will Be A Long List Of Israelis Not Traveling Outside Israe 21:22  |  viewfromafar 04/03/09
  9.   He Can always ask for refuge in the new South Africa 21:25  |  PETER SM 04/03/09
  10.   ID Why don`t you present some LEGAL evidence 21:31  |  PETER SM 04/03/09
  11.   When any evidence is presented 21:38  |  Sam 04/03/09
  12.   # 3,5,6 and 7 21:41  |  Chimo 04/03/09
  13.   Arab Genocide Finally Noticed 23:07  |  Baruch Gold 04/03/09
  14.   Charge all Of Arab Leagues Leaders With Genocide 23:08  |  Baruch Gold 04/03/09
  15.   You guys are something 23:26  |  Arnon 04/03/09
  16.   # 14 baruch 00:21  |  Axel 05/03/09
  17.   Good move on the part of the ICC 01:30  |  Ghandi 05/03/09
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