DAMASCUS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad rejected on Tuesday the International Criminal Court's (ICC) move against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, considering it as an attempt to blackmail Sudan and interfere in its internal affairs.

    Assad made the rejection while meeting with Sudanese presidential advisor Ghazi Salah El Din Atabani, who delivered Assad a message from al-Bashir on the latest developments regarding the court's move, according to the official SANA news agency.

    "Such a court decision will hinder the efforts to establish peace in Darfur, and will undermine any effort to boost stability in Sudan," Assad was quoted as saying.

    The president also stressed that Syria, chairman of the Arab summit, will do whatever required to stand by Sudan as it is suffering from plots targeting its security and stability.

    In a statement to reporters after the talks, Atabani praised Syria's stance in support of Sudan, noting the important role Syria plays due to its Arab summit presidency.

    The Hague-based ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo formally requested an arrest warrant last week against Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the western Sudanese region of Darfur.

    It was the first time that the ICC charges a sitting head of state, a move decried by Khartoum as undermining peace efforts in Darfur.

    Sudan, which is not a member of the ICC, has rejected the ICC allegations, dismissing them as "null and false" and maintaining the ICC has no jurisdiction over Sudan.