Arab League will not arrest Sudan's president

[March 17, 2009]  DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- The Arab League chief says the group will not carry out a request by the International Criminal Court to arrest Sudan's president on charges of war crimes in Darfur.

Amr Moussa says member state Qatar has also rejected an individual request to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who has indicated he will attend an Arab summit in the country later this month.

Moussa said Monday in Syria that he was concerned about the effect that arresting al-Bashir would have on Sudan's stability.

Al-Bashir has denied the charges and has said he will not cooperate with Netherlands-based court.

Only three Arab league states recognize the court -- Jordan, Djibouti and Comoros. It was unclear if they have endorsed Moussa's statement.

[Associated Press]

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