Arab League chief meets with Sudanese president on ICC row.

March 7, 2009 (KHARTOUM) -- The Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa met today with the Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to discuss ways of overcoming the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision.

Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir (R) meets with Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa in Khartoum on March 7, 2009 (AFP)

Moussa also met later during the day with Sudanese 2nd Vice President Ali Osman Taha along with justice minister Abdel-Basit Sabdarat and undersecretary for foreign affairs AL-Samani Al-Wasila. Sudan official news agency (SUNA) cited Moussa as saying that the meeting was "extremely important" and that it will "form the basis in political work and communication with a number of states and interested organizations". The Arab League top official suggested that he offered the Sudanese president a proposal to defuse the crisis. "I spoke with the president about dealing with this crisis either through legal, political or international communication means that will occur and the joint Arab League-African Union (AU) position" he said. "We will continue our efforts to contain the crisis and deal with the legal aspects to block the indictment and at the same time there is work done in Sudan" Moussa added. On Wednesday Bashir became the first sitting head of head to be charged by the ICC on three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder. Asked about Sudan's expulsion of aid groups from Darfur Moussa said that this was "prior period" and that the remaining organizations will continue work in accordance with the agreements. He also said that nothing precludes Bashir from attending the Arab summit to be held in Qatar on March 30th. Yesterday Moussa said in an interview with the London based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that his trip to Sudan aims at preserving stability in Sudan but at the same time warned that there are "justice concepts that we are seeking and should not be ignored". Last July Sudan gave a cool reception an Arab League proposal carried by Moussa on internal proceedings for Darfur war crimes suspects. Moussa along with Arab and African countries seem to be focusing their efforts in lobbying the UN Security Council (UNSC) for an Article 16 resolution deferring Bashir's indictment for a period of 12 month that could be renewed indefinitely. The Arab League Secretary General said that currently the only option available is an Article 16 resolution saying "it is not about rhetoric or good wishes". Western countries on the USNC said they reject any such move but left the door open should Sudan undertake to carry out radical change in their Darfur policies. However Sudanese officials have previously said that they want the ICC jurisdiction over Darfur investigations to be nullified. The UNSC issued resolution 1593 under chapter VII in March 2005 referring the situation in Darfur to the ICC. (ST)

Copyright 2003-2009 SudanTribune - All rights reserved.

Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company