AU's Ping met with Sudan's Al-Bashir today - Libya: Secretary of AU Affairs meets Mustafa Othman Ismail (Update 3)

March 9, 2009 KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP)
African leader shows support for Sudan president

The African Union head says peace and reconciliation in Darfur has already been undermined by an arrest warrant against Sudan's president who's accused of war crimes.

Jean Ping said during a news conference Monday in Khartoum "enough with these people," referring to those who brought about the arrest warrant against Omar al-Bashir.

The Netherlands-based International Criminal Court issued the warrant last week, accusing al-Bashir of war crimes committed while suppressing a rebellion in Darfur.

Ping, who met with al-Bashir Monday, says his group wants the U.N. Security Council to push for the case to be put on hold.

Many African nations have rallied to al-Bashir's side, saying the warrant will further destabilize the region.

Photo: The African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping shows support for Sudan president (AP)
- - -

March 9, 2009 report from JANA via ISRIA:
Libya: Secretary of AU Affairs meets Advisor to President of Sudan

The Secretary of AU Affairs of the GPC for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, President of the AU Executive Council, met Friday evening with the Dr. Mustafa Othman Ismael, advisor to the President of Sudan.

During the meeting, they discussed developments following the issuance of the arrest warrant by the so-called International Criminal Court and the African position, which was issued by the Union's presidency that decided not recognize the warrant.

The meeting also discussed the peace march in Sudan's Darfur region.

Peace march? Sounds interesting.
- - -

March 9, 2009 report by Xinhua via CRIENGLISH
AU Supports Sudan's Rejection of ICC Decision

The African Union (AU) reiterated on Monday its stance of supporting Sudan in rejecting the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Sudanese Presidential Assistant Nafie Ali Nafie told reporters following his meeting with visiting AU Commissioner Jean Ping and AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramadan al-Amamra that Sudan would maintain continuous consultations with the AU, referring to the close relations with the commission.

He appreciated AU's stance which was formulated by the African heads of state and government, pointing out that the visit of the AU delegation came in the context of the pan-African body's solidarity with Sudan concerning the ICC decision.

Al-Amamra, on his part, said that the meeting was a good opportunity for consultations on issues of mutual concern.

Jean Ping, who arrived in Khartoum earlier Monday, was the second chief of major regional organization to visit the Sudanese capital and meet with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir since the ICC issued on March 4 an arrest warrant against al-Bashir.

A similar visit was paid on Saturday by Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa.

(Web Editor: Bao Congying)