Sudan Plans Riots After ICC Warrant

Bashir dismisses the charges against him and refuses to recognise the Hague-based ICC, calling it part of a Western conspiracy.

One of Darfur's main rebel groups accused Sudan's government on Monday of planning riots if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir for war crimes.

The ICC decision is expected on Wednesday but China, the African Union and the Arab League have warned it could destabilise the region and threaten a troubled peace deal between north Sudan and the semi-autonomous south.

Khalil Ibrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), said Bashir should hand himself over to the ICC and that his group would respond to any government orchestrated violence.

"They are planning demonstrations... I expect there may be violence and crime. I warn the government that any such action will be met with counter-measures, even in Khartoum. Violence will be met with violence," Ibrahim told Reuters.

"Any loss of lives or property is their responsibility."

Some Western embassies have warned their citizens of the potential for violent protests if Bashir is charged.

JEM forces, which launched a surprise attack in May on Sudan's capital and the suburb of Omdurman, have offered to assist any effort to arrest Bashir.

"Bashir must go before the ICC, whether voluntarily or against his will," Ibrahim said.

Bashir dismisses the charges against him and refuses to recognise the Hague-based ICC, calling it part of a Western conspiracy.

International experts say 200,000 people have been killed in the Darfur conflict since 2003. Khartoum rejects the term genocide and says 10,000 people died in the conflict.

A further 2.7 million people are estimated to have been uprooted by the conflict.

State Information Minister Kamal al-Ebeid said on Monday there would be "popular expressions" if the court issued a warrant for Bashir. The authorities would not allow diplomats, their missions or foreigners to be targeted, he said.

The Darfur conflict began when mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms against the government, demanding better representation and infrastructure for the Western region. The Sudanese authorities mobilised mostly Arab militias to crush the revolt.