China concerned about ICC
2008-07-15 20:21
Beijing - China has expressed "grave concerns and misgivings" over the decision of the International Criminal Court to seek an arrest warrant for Sudan's president, Reuters has reported.
The ICC sought to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir on charges of genocide in the region of Darfur.
According to reports, while the ICC's prosecutor was hoping to arrest al-Beshir, China confronted acute choices over its relationship with the African leaders just as Beijing Olympics opened as soft sport for international pressure.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Jianchao said: "The ICC's actions must be beneficial to the stability of the Darfur region and the appropriate settlement of the issue, not the contrary."
Tanzania speaks out
According to AP reports, Tanzania also criticised the International Criminal Court's decision to seek an arrest warrant for Sudan's president.
Tanzania, the current chair of the AU, said genocide charges against Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir will undermine peace efforts in the African country's war-torn Darfur region.
Tanzania's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the move will have "serious negative consequences" on peace efforts and complicate security on the ground.
Monday's indictment marks the first time prosecutors at the permanent war crimes tribunal have issued charges against a sitting head of state. However, al-Beshir is unlikely to face trial any time soon.