Sudan calls for Arab, African support

KHARTOUM, Sudan, July 16 (UPI) -- Sudanese officials called on Arab and African countries Wednesday to withdraw from the International Criminal Court.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the court's chief prosecutor, issued an arrest warrant Monday charging Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir with genocide and war crimes. The charges involve the government's role in Darfur, where Arab militias have killed thousands of people.

Sudanese Minister of Justice Abdulbaset Sabderat Wednesday said that he has asked for an emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers, the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA reported. He said that Arab and African countries should not recognize the ICC.

Ramtane Lamamra, peace and security commissioner of the African Union, met with Bashir on Tuesday in Khartoum, al Alam said. Lamamra said he is concerned because the court's first four cases have all involved African leaders.

Thousands of Sudanese have joined protests against the court. Al Alam said that many of the demonstrators protesting the charges are from the opposition.

Also Wednesday, the Sudanese parliament voted to back the government in its opposition to the court, KUNA said.