UN officials say they expect the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue an arrest warrant for Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.

The charges could include war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Congo ex-leader appears before International Court ...
Sudanese gov't releases opposition politician ... UN officials fear this could bring reprisals against peacekeeping forces in the Sudanese region.

Mr Bashir has said his country faces a "vicious campaign". He denies charges that his government was behind the violence in Darfur.

His government says it had no role in organising the Janjaweed militias to take revenge on Darfuris after black African rebels took up arms in protest at alleged government discrimination in 2003.

Since then, the UN estimates that some 300,000 people have died and two million have fled their homes.

UN alarm

The ICC accuses the entire Sudanese government of war crimes in Darfur.

ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is to submit evidence to judges on Monday.

The charges against Mr Bashir could include war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The BBC's Laura Trevelyan at UN headquarters says there is considerable alarm about the political consequences of such a move.

Officials fear the peacekeeping force in Darfur may be attacked in retaliation and there is concern that the fragile prospects for peace in Darfur and in southern Sudan will be further weakened.

Sudan does not recognise the International Criminal Court, and has refused to hand over a government minister and militia leader accused of war crimes last year.

(BBC)

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