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Summit of Arab Leaders rejects ICC warrant

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Dubai, March 31, IRNA -- Arab leaders concluded their annual summit in Doha voicing support for Sudanese President Omar Bashir and rejecting an international arrest warrant issued against him for alleged war crimes in Darfur.

“We reiterate our solidarity with Sudan and our rejection of the measure of the .... International Criminal Court against His Excellency (Bashir),” said a final statement read at the summit.

Bashir, who captured the limelight by attending the summit in defiance of the warrant, told Arab leaders during the conference to strongly reject his indictment.

Bashir already enjoys strong backing from Arab countries that have repeatedly denounced the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 4.

In his final remarks, Bashir thanked the assembled Arab leaders for their support against the court’s “unjust” decision.

“We will spare no effort in establishing peace and security in every corner of Sudan,” the president asserted.

The Sudanese president arrived in Doha unexpectedly after rumors that he might avoid the summit in order to spare Qatar embarrassment.

He is on his fourth trip abroad since the ICC issued its indictment.

The summit’s final communiqué, which was read out by Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, stressed the need to bring Israeli leaders to justice for alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip that started Dec. 27.

The leaders also pledged their support for the reconstruction of Gaza and attempts to reconcile Palestinian factions, and to hold Israel to a timeline for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, whose country passed the presidency of the Arab League summit to Qatar, echoed calls to support Bashir against the ICC.

“We are called upon today, not (just) to criticize the warrant (which) ... we are all agreed is politicized, but to reject it categorically,” Bashar said.

“What is happening to Sudan now is another chapter in the effort to weaken the Arabs ... and another stage in the effort to break up Sudan,” Bashar added.