A+ A-

Qatar disappointed at ICC ruling against Sudanese President

DOHA, March 5 (KUNA) -- The State of Qatar voiced on Thursday "deep regret" over the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on Wednesday.
"The ICC arrest warrant is by no means conducive to security and stability in Darfur region, west Sudan," Qatar News Agency (QNA) quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying.
"The move could only hamper the Qatari efforts aiming to stabilize the troubled region in cooperation with the Arab League, the United Nations and the African Union.
"The internationally-backed Qatari mediation has led to the signing of a framework agreement by the Sudanese Government and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) here in February," the official pointed out.
He called on the UN Security Council to exercise its powers and postpone the implementation of the arrest warrant for one year pursuant to Article 16 of Rome Statute on the ICC establishment.
Such postponement could pave the way for the Qatari-brokered peace between the Sudanese government and the factions of Darfur, the official added. (end) ma.gb.
KUNA 052123 Mar 09NNNN