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Criticism of al-Bashir move

Omar al-Bashir - Arrest is sought
Omar al-Bashir - Arrest is sought

The Arab League has criticised a move by the chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, who is seeking the arrest of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and genocide in Darfur.

Arab foreign ministers, who held an emergency meeting in Cairo, said Luis Moreno-Ocampo's request for Mr Bashir to be arrested had set a dangerous precedent and would undermine Sudan's sovereignty.

The League's Secretary-General, Amr Moussa, arrived in Sudan today to discuss a plan to defuse the crisis.

Mr Moussa said Arabs had to work closely with the African Union and the UN to protect the fragile peace process in Sudan.