This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7922705.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Tense Sudan awaits court decision Tense Sudan awaits court decision
(about 2 hours later)
The International Criminal Court is to announce whether it will indict Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir over alleged war crimes in Darfur.The International Criminal Court is to announce whether it will indict Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir over alleged war crimes in Darfur.
If the tribunal goes ahead, it would be the first such warrant on a serving head of state.If the tribunal goes ahead, it would be the first such warrant on a serving head of state.
There are fears of unrest and a backlash against a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force.There are fears of unrest and a backlash against a joint African Union-UN peacekeeping force.
Mr Bashir, who denies the charges, said on Tuesday the tribunal at The Hague could "eat" the arrest warrant.Mr Bashir, who denies the charges, said on Tuesday the tribunal at The Hague could "eat" the arrest warrant.
The BBC's Peter Martell in Khartoum says the capital is very tense as people await the ICC's decision.The BBC's Peter Martell in Khartoum says the capital is very tense as people await the ICC's decision.
It will not be worth the ink it is written on President Omar al-Bashir Profile: Sudan's Omar al-BashirShould Omar al-Bashir be arrested?It will not be worth the ink it is written on President Omar al-Bashir Profile: Sudan's Omar al-BashirShould Omar al-Bashir be arrested?
He says there is heavy security and large pro-Bashir demonstrations are expected.He says there is heavy security and large pro-Bashir demonstrations are expected.
But he adds there is also a strong feeling in the city - albeit seldom openly expressed - in support of an indictment.But he adds there is also a strong feeling in the city - albeit seldom openly expressed - in support of an indictment.
Meanwhile Sudanese security forces are reportedly out in force in the north-western Darfur town of El Fasher.Meanwhile Sudanese security forces are reportedly out in force in the north-western Darfur town of El Fasher.
EffigyEffigy
Sudanese army jets have been flying over the town and the UN-AU force is on a heightened state of alert.Sudanese army jets have been flying over the town and the UN-AU force is on a heightened state of alert.
Confessions of a Sudanese deserterQ&A: Sudan's Darfur conflictMixed hopes for Sudan peaceConfessions of a Sudanese deserterQ&A: Sudan's Darfur conflictMixed hopes for Sudan peace
The UN estimates about 300,000 people have died and some 2.7 million been displaced in six years of conflict.The UN estimates about 300,000 people have died and some 2.7 million been displaced in six years of conflict.
Opening a hydro-electric dam in northern Sudan on Tuesday, President Bashir poured scorn on the possible indictment.Opening a hydro-electric dam in northern Sudan on Tuesday, President Bashir poured scorn on the possible indictment.
He said the warrant would "not be worth the ink it is written on" and danced for thousands of cheering supporters who burned an effigy of the ICC chief prosecutor.He said the warrant would "not be worth the ink it is written on" and danced for thousands of cheering supporters who burned an effigy of the ICC chief prosecutor.
Luis Moreno Ocampo requested the indictment last July for President Bashir on 10 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Luis Moreno-Ocampo requested the indictment last July for President Bashir on 10 counts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
He told journalists at The Hague on Tuesday he had strong evidence and more than 30 witnesses prepared to testify against the Sudanese president.He told journalists at The Hague on Tuesday he had strong evidence and more than 30 witnesses prepared to testify against the Sudanese president.
FROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World ServiceFROM THE BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
Alex de Waal, a Sudan expert at Harvard University in the US, told the BBC's Network Africa programme the pre-trial chamber of the ICC was expected to issue an arrest warrant for President Bashir.Alex de Waal, a Sudan expert at Harvard University in the US, told the BBC's Network Africa programme the pre-trial chamber of the ICC was expected to issue an arrest warrant for President Bashir.
He said the only real doubt is whether it will be for genocide or if the tribunal will stick to the less controversial charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.He said the only real doubt is whether it will be for genocide or if the tribunal will stick to the less controversial charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
'Unnerving''Unnerving'
But an indictment warrant would be "pretty toothless", he added, as the ICC does not have a police force and it would be delivered to Sudan's government, which is unlikely to execute it.But an indictment warrant would be "pretty toothless", he added, as the ICC does not have a police force and it would be delivered to Sudan's government, which is unlikely to execute it.
Salva Kiir, Sudan's vice-president and leader of the south of the country, has issued a statement describing the possible indictment as "unnerving".Salva Kiir, Sudan's vice-president and leader of the south of the country, has issued a statement describing the possible indictment as "unnerving".
He said all Sudanese were hurt by the accusations against President Bashir, and urged southern Sudanese to refrain from demonstrations that could heighten tensions.He said all Sudanese were hurt by the accusations against President Bashir, and urged southern Sudanese to refrain from demonstrations that could heighten tensions.
He called for diplomatic and political efforts to defuse the crisis.He called for diplomatic and political efforts to defuse the crisis.
Millions of people have been displaced in six years of conflict in Darfur
African Union and Arab League states are calling for a year's delay to any indictment, warning it could plunge Sudan into deeper crisis - just as a new round of peace talks begin.African Union and Arab League states are calling for a year's delay to any indictment, warning it could plunge Sudan into deeper crisis - just as a new round of peace talks begin.
The five permanent UN Security Council members, who have veto power, are said to be divided on the issue.The five permanent UN Security Council members, who have veto power, are said to be divided on the issue.
America, France and Britain are supporting the call to bring President Bashir to book immediately for his alleged crimes.America, France and Britain are supporting the call to bring President Bashir to book immediately for his alleged crimes.
Sudan's president remains defiant
But China, which has strong economic ties to Sudan, and Russia would likely support a delay, according to diplomats.But China, which has strong economic ties to Sudan, and Russia would likely support a delay, according to diplomats.
Meanwhile, there are concerns about a military build-up along the Sudan-Chad border.Meanwhile, there are concerns about a military build-up along the Sudan-Chad border.
The two countries have accused each other of giving shelter to rival rebel groups, and there are concerns that the actions of the ICC could have violent consequences.The two countries have accused each other of giving shelter to rival rebel groups, and there are concerns that the actions of the ICC could have violent consequences.
The war crimes court has already issued two arrest warrants - in 2007 - for Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ahmed Haroun and the Janjaweed militia leader Ali Abdul Rahman. Sudan has refused to hand them over.The war crimes court has already issued two arrest warrants - in 2007 - for Sudanese Humanitarian Affairs Minister Ahmed Haroun and the Janjaweed militia leader Ali Abdul Rahman. Sudan has refused to hand them over.
The ICC - the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal which started work in 2002 - is also pursuing indictments for three Darfur rebel commanders accused of killing a dozen African Union peacekeepers.The ICC - the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal which started work in 2002 - is also pursuing indictments for three Darfur rebel commanders accused of killing a dozen African Union peacekeepers.