Sudans President Hassan al-Bashir told thousands of cheering supporters on Thursday that the international call for his arrest on war crimes charges was a colonialist ploy. He also announced the expulsion of 10 foreign aid agencies. The arrest warrant issued against Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday for atrocities in Sudans western Darfur region is the first against a sitting head of state by the Hague-based court. Bashir responded with defiance,accusing the aid agencies of breaking the law and saying the Government would tackle any move to undermine stability. We will deal responsibly and decisively with anybody who tries to target the stability and security of the country, Bashir told a meeting of top politicians on Thursday. We have expelled 10 foreign organisations. after monitoring activities that act in contradiction to all regulation and laws, he said. He later addressed thousands of protesters carrying banners,branding the courts prosecutor a criminal. Bashir said the ICC was a tool of colonialists,targeting Sudan for its oil,natural gas and other resources. We have refused to kneel to colonialism,that is why Sudan has been targeted. because we only kneel to God, he told the crowd outside the Republican Palace. Cheers of We are ready to protect religion! and Down,down USA! interrupted his speech. China urged the UN Security Council on Thursday to heed calls from African and Arab countries and suspend the case against Bashir,but the US has welcomed the action. The ICC,set up in 2002,indicted Bashir on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity,which include murder,rape and torture. The three-judge panel said it had insufficient grounds for genocide. Hours after the warrant was issued,Sudan revoked the licences of several foreign aid agencies. UN officials,speaking on condition of anonymity,said the expulsions would have a devastating impact on Darfuris,adding that Sudanese security had already started taking computers and other assets from the agencies offices in Khartoum and Darfur. Embassies have been on high alert in the build-up to the courts decision,fearing attacks,although Sudanese authorities have promised to protect diplomatic premises. Sudanese officials confirmed they had expelled 10 foreign aid agencies and shut down two Sudanese agencies. Sudan has accused some aid groups of passing information to the ICC prosecutor. The agencies include Britains Oxfam and Save The Children,US-based Care,CHF and the International Rescue Committee,together with Medecins Sans Frontiers Holland and the Norwegian Refugee Council.
