Khartoum - Sudan on Wednesday rejected an arrest warrant issued by the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) that charged its President Omar al-Bashir with war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"The Sudanese presidency absolutely rejects the arrest warrant issued by the so-called International Criminal Court," Vice President Ali Osman Mohamed Taha said Wednesday at a press conference in the capital's Friendship Hall.
The remarks came after a closed-door consultation between Mr Bashir, Mr Taha, and First Vice President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who is a former leader of the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army that controls the semi-autonomous southern Sudan.
"The presidency is confident that the Sudanese people could overcome the ordeal with firmness and consciousness as usual," Mr Taha said.
Meanwhile, he promised that the presidency will abide by the constitution and peace agreements signed in the past, including the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the Darfur Peace Agreement.
"The presidency will ... ensure the stabilisation and the security of international organisations and expatriates," Mr Taha said.
The vice president warned that Sudan will not allow foreigners to undermine the country's national security under the cover of diplomatic immunity.
Earlier Wednesday, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against Mr Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country's restive western region of Darfur between 2003 and 2008.
"He is suspected of ... directing attacks against an important part of the civilian population of Darfur, Sudan, murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians," ICC spokeswoman Laurence Blairon said at a brief press conference in The Hague.
However, the genocide accusation, filed by ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo, was not included in the final decision, according to a statement read by Mr Blairon.
"The pre-trial chamber has not been able to find the reasonable grounds to establish a genocidal intent," Mr Blairon said.
Shortly after the ICC's statement, thousands of Sudanese flocked to the capital's Council of Ministers to protest the arrest warrant.
Mr Bashir made a surprise appearance Wednesday evening in the capital's Omdurman area after he attended a graduation ceremony at an aviation academy, state television reported.
The government decided to expel 10 foreign NGOs, including Oxfam and Medical Sans Frontier, as well as two local groups that were accused of collaborating with the ICC, said Sudanese Media Center, a local news agency.
In July 2008, ICC's prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo filed 10 charges against Mr Bashir, including three counts of genocide, five of crimes against humanity and two of murder.
The Sudanese government rebuffed the accusations and questioned the universal jurisdiction of the court, of which Sudan is not a member.
"Any decision to be issued about Sudan by the ICC will not affect the country. We did not mind the Resolution 1706 passed by the UN and it ended up with nothing," Mr Bashir said on Tuesday.
The African Union said Wednesday that the warrant against Mr Bashir could impede the peace process in Sudan.
"The search for justice should be pursued in a way that does not impede or jeopardise the promotion of peace," AU Commission Chairperson Jean Ping said in a statement.
The AU was deeply concerned over "the far-reaching consequences of this decision, which comes at a critical juncture in the process to promote lasting peace, reconciliation and democratic governance in Sudan," he said.
A UN spokesman said Wednesday that UN officials, including those from the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and the African Union / United Nations Hybrid operation in Darfur ((UNMID), will continue to deal with Mr Bashir when needed.
"Bashir is still the head of state of Sudan, and UNMIS (and UNMID) will continue to deal with him" in accordance with its mandate when necessary, said Michele Montas, the spokesperson for Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Ban said in a statement that "the United Nations will continue to conduct its vital peacekeeping, humanitarian, human rights and development operations and activities in Sudan."
Mr Ban called on the government of Sudan to continue to cooperate fully with all UN entities "while fulfilling its obligation to ensure the safety and security of the civilian population, UN personnel and property, and that of its implementing partners."
The United States urged all parties to the Darfur conflict to exercise restraint after the decision to issue the arrest warrant against Bashir.
"The White House believes that those that have committed atrocities should be held accountable. As this process moves forward, that we would urge restraint on the part of all parties, including the government of Sudan," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
Gibbs said US President Barack Obama and his administration "are determined to support the pursuit of an immediate ceasefire and long-term peace in the region."
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday asked the Sudanese government and all other parties to the Darfur conflict to fully cooperate with the ICC in order to comply with its obligations under international law and to combat impunity in Darfur, said the Czech Republic, which holds the rotating EU presidency.
