Judges at the International Criminal Court have issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.
The judges on Wednesday stopped short of charging Mr. Bashir with genocide, as ICC prosecutors had wanted. But they found there was sufficient evidence to arrest him on counts of murder, torture, rape, extermination and other charges. Sudanese officials repeated earlier statements that they will not recognize or cooperate with the Hague-based court.
One advisor to President Bashir, Mustafa Osman Ismail dismissed the court as a way for foreign powers to undermine Sudan's stability.
Thousands of Sudanese demonstrators gathered in Khartoum to protest the decision.
Security has been increased in the Sudanese capital, especially around diplomatic missions, and many foreign workers have been advised to stay indoors.