TRIPOLI, Libya, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Human-rights protesters gathered as Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is wanted on an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, arrived in Libya.
The court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, is seeking Bashir on charges of starting genocide in Darfur, Agenzia Giornalistica Italia reported.
A source said Bashir arrived in Libya Saturday accompanied by a large delegation and was met at Tripoli's airport by the president of the Libyan National Transitional Council, Mustafa Abdul Jalil.
Libya is not a member of the court, but the National Transitional Council has asked the U.N. Security Council to refer the situation in the country to the ICC, Sudan Tribune reported.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for former ruler Moammar Gadhafi, his son, Saif al-Islam, and the ex-spy chief Abdullah al-Sanoosi for crimes against humanity. Gadhafi and another of his sons, Mo'tassim, were killed by NTC forces in October.
"Following the end of decades of brutal rule in Libya, it is disturbing if Tripoli hosts a head of state on the run from international arrest warrants for grave human rights violations," said Richard Dicker, international justice director at Human Rights Watch.
"Welcoming al-Bashir -- a suspected war criminal sought by the ICC -- raises questions about the NTC's stated commitment to human rights and the rule of law."
