Africa News
Turkish president receives Sudan leader al-Bashir despite protests
Aug 19, 2008, 13:59 GMT
Istanbul - Turkish President Abdullah Gul met Tuesday with his visiting Sudanese counterpart, Omar Hassan al-Bashir, and urged his guest to make every effort to end the suffering in the crisis region of Darfur.
The meeting took place within the framework of a Turkey-organised African summit in Istanbul, but to the backdrop of criticism of Istanbul for allowing the visit.
Media reports said al-Bashir expressed his regret about the situation in Darfur, but denied any responsibility for massacres there.
The Sudanese president had arrived on Monday despite the threat of a possible warrant for his arrest issued by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with the Darfur conflict.
The United Nations estimates that the five-year-old conflict has claimed 300,000 lives and some 2.5 million expellees.
Al-Bashir denounced the ICC's allegations as defamation and refused any cooperation with the international body.
Turkey meanwhile was on the defensive about al-Bashir's visit.
'Turkey adheres to international law,' a Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said. 'As long as there is no final decision on an arrest warrant ... we see no need for action.'
Ahead of the African parley, the rights group Human Rights Watch called on the Turkish government to issue a clear rejection of al- Bashir's efforts to get the ICC to stop its investigations.
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