2009-03-04 17:49:03 -

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - Sudan denounced an international tribunal that issued an arrest warrant against its president Wednesday on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, calling it a «white man's court» that aims to destabilize the country.
Thousands rallied in the Sudanese capital in support of President Omar al-Bashir, waving pictures of him and shouting insults against the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, calling him a «pig» and a «coward.
The warrant accuses al-Bashir of masterminding a campaign of murder, torture and rape by government troops and Arab militias in Sudan's western Darfur region _ the first such warrant issued by the court against a sitting head of state since it opened its doors in 2002. The charges have a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
But it is unlikely al-Bashir will be taken to the court's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, anytime soon. He has rejected the charges, and the Sudanese government does not respect the court's jurisdiction.
«There will be no recognition of or dealing with the white man's court, which has no mandate in Sudan or against any of its people,» said the Ministry of Information in a statement Wednesday.
«Sudan's sovereignty and independence is a red line that will be defended» by Sudanese, said the statement, which was carried by the Sudan Media Center.
Al-Bashir's foreign policy adviser, Mustafa Osman Ismail, told state television shortly after the court announcement that the decision comes from «foreign powers that seek to undermine the stability of Sudan.
Many Sudanese and international workers in the country fear the warrant could spark a backlash by al-Bashir's government, including possible increased violence in Darfur _ or could strain the country's fragile north-south peace deal. Western embassies increased security ahead of the ICC announcement and some staffers stayed home, fearing retaliation against foreigners.
Khartoum has insisted it will not be affected by a warrant and will continue with nascent peace efforts in Darfur.
Just before the court decision Wednesday, al-Bashir gave a thumbs-up sign to reporters and said any attempt to prosecute him would have «no value.» He later went to attend an air force graduation ceremony outside the capital. As he returned, he circulated in his motorcade through Khartoum, waving at Sudanese greeting him.
The government has sought to project calm and confidence. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Karti announced the president will travel to Qatar as scheduled to attend an Arab summit on March 30. Al-Bashir «will continue carrying out his duties as if nothing happened,» he said.
But officials also warned foreigners in the country not to try to implement the warrant. U.N. peacekeepers and other international agencies operating in Sudan have no mandate to do so.
Al-Bashir's adviser, Ismail, said Wednesday that the government was committed to protecting foreigners in Sudan as long as they respect the country's laws and traditions. «But those who cannot respect them should leave the country right away before they are made to leave the country unwillingly,» said Ismail.
The war in Darfur began in 2003 when rebel groups took up arms against the government complaining of discrimination and neglect. So far up to 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million have fled their homes, according to U.N. officials.
Darfur rebel commander Suleiman Sandal said the court's decision was «historic» and a «victory» for the people of Sudan and Darfur.


«This is the end for any dictator who takes cover behind his regime and army to commit crimes,» Sandal told The Associated Press by telephone from Darfur.
Sudan's allies, including the African Union and Egypt, had urged the U.N. Security Council to postpone the case by a year to allow peace negotiations between Khartoum and Darfur rebels to continue. But the council is deeply divided on the issue and is not expected to take any immediate action.
The African Union said it was «deeply concerned at the far reaching consequences of this decision.» It reiterated its call for the council to defer the case. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the Security Council should «shoulder the responsibility to keep the calm and stability in Sudan.
Sudanese who attended Wednesday's protest promised to stand by the president. The crowd shouted for the government to expel ambassadors of countries supporting the court and organizations they accused of «spying.» Protesters carried posters with the ICC prosecutor's face superimposed on the body of a pig.
«Ocampo is a pig and a dog because he is a political agent carrying out the bidding of countries that don't want to see developing countries succeed,» said Hassan Mohammad, a farmer from Khartoum.
Ibtisam Suleman, a 19-year-old university student, participated in the protest wearing a picture of the Sudanese president on her head. The warrant «will fail because Sudan will be by his side.
Jassim al-Mustafa, a government employee who was attending the rally, called the warrant «unjust» but struck a more concerned tone. «Sudan can't live isolated from the whole world. With law and diplomacy, we can solve this,» he said, expressing fears of greater turmoil. «We can't go backward anymore.