UN Security Council Split over Bashir Indictment

United Nations (New York, USA)
UN Security Council members appear split on whether to defer the indictment of Sudan’s president for genocide, with Western countries saying he should face the charges while two veto-holding nations insist on a postponement. Sources say the US, UK and France insisted during a closed door session this week that the International Criminal Court (ICC) should be allowed to obtain a warrant of arrest for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. South Africa and Libya, with the backing of veto holding members China and Russia, opposed the indictment, saying such action would endanger prospects of peace in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region. The ICC is seeking to have Bashir face charges of masterminding the genocidal killing of an estimated 300,000 people in Darfur. [PE]