KHARTOUM, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) reiterated on Monday its stance of supporting Sudan in rejecting the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    Sudanese Presidential Assistant Nafie Ali Nafie told reporters following his meeting with visiting AU Commissioner Jean Ping and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramadan al-Amamra that Sudan would maintain continuous consultations with the AU, referring to the close relations with the commission.

A boy holds a poster during a rally to support Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir at Fashir, capital city of North Darfur state, March 8, 2009. Bashir said Sunday in Fashir, capital city of North Darfur state, that the country will fight against "neocolonialism". (Xinhua/Zhang Meng) Photo Gallery>>>

    He appreciated AU's stance which was formulated by the African heads of state and government, pointing out that the visit of the AU delegation came in the context of the pan-African body's solidarity with Sudan concerning the ICC decision.

    Al-Amamra, on his part, said that the meeting was a good opportunity for consultations on issues of mutual concern.

    Jean Ping, who arrived in Khartoum earlier Monday, was the second chief of major regional organization to visit the Sudanese capital and meet with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir since the ICC issued on March 4 an arrest warrant against al-Bashir.

    A similar visit was paid on Saturday by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

 

AU absorbs negative impacts of ICC decision on Sudan

    KHARTOUM, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) said Monday that it was making contacts and consultations to absorb negative impacts of a recent decision issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Sudan.

    The move was revealed during a meeting between Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and visiting AU Commissioner Jean Ping and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramadan al-Amamra. Full story

Sudanese president qualified to contest general election: authority

    KHARTOUM, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese Authority of Parties and Political Organizations announced Sunday that President Omar al-Bashir is qualified to participate in the next general election despite an arrest warrant against him.

    "President al-Bashir has made great achievements in Sudan's peace process and national reconciliation," Abud Jabir, chairman of the authority, said at a press conference.Full story 

Bashir: Sudan to fight against "neocolonialism"

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir (C) waves to supporters after his arrival at Fashir, capital city of North Darfur state, March 8, 2009. (Xinhua/Zhang Meng)

    FASHIR, Sudan, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir said Sunday in Fashir, capital city of North Darfur state, that the country will fight against "neocolonialism".

    "We will fight against the neocolonialism," al-Bashir made the remarks while addressing a rally attended by tens of thousands of local residents on a square at the city center, referring to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) campaign that has dogged the president since last July. Full story

Bashir pledges to push forward peace process

Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir speaks to the public in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, March 7, 2009. Bashir met with delegates from southern Sudan's tribes and parties in Khartoum Saturday and he called for solidarity among Sudanese people. (Xinhua/Zhai Xi) Photo Gallery>>>

    KHARTOUM, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir Saturday told a rally that the country does not allow any breach of the peace process and would never return to war, the state television reported.

    "We are a family no matter where you are from, north or south," said Bashir, who is wearing colorful folk costume and a feather coronal of the south. Full story

AL chief : Remaining NGOs to stay in Darfur

Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa speaks to media after meeting with Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir in Khartoum, capital of Sudan, March 7, 2009. Amr Moussa said here Saturday that the remaining NGOs would stay in Darfur to continue humanitary operations. (Xinhua/Zhai Xi) Photo Gallery>>>

    KHARTOUM, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Arab League(AL) Secretary General Amr Moussa said Saturday that the remaining NGOs would stay in Darfur to continue humanitary operations.

    "NGOs will stay in Darfur to carry out humanitarian operations," Moussa, who came here in the afternoon, said while briefing reporters after a meeting with the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in the presidential residence. Full story

Sudanese president denounces West for his arrest

    KHARTOUM, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on Thursday slammed the West over a warrant for his arrest on war crimes charges, saying it was a plot by western nations to grab the nation's resources. Full story

Sudan rejects ICC arrest warrant against president

    KHARTOUM, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Sudan on Wednesday rejected an arrest warrant issued by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) that charged its President Omar al-Bashir with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Full story 

China says regretful, worried about Sudan president arrest warrant

    BEIJING, March 5 (Xinhua) -- China said it felt regretful and worried about the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on war crimes charges.

    Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang made the remarks here on Thursday in response to a question on the matter.  Full story

ICC announces arrest warrant for Sudanese president

    THE HAGUE, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The International Criminal Court(ICC) on Wednesday issued an international arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

    This is the first time the court has decided to issue an arrest warrant for a sitting head of state since it was established in July 2002. Full story