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Arab League urged to back Bashir Arab League urged to back Bashir
(20 minutes later)
Arab leaders have been urged to reject an international arrest warrant against President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan for war crimes in Darfur.Arab leaders have been urged to reject an international arrest warrant against President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan for war crimes in Darfur.
The warrant was "another stage on the road to dividing Sudan", Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said.The warrant was "another stage on the road to dividing Sudan", Syria's President Bashar al-Assad said.
He was speaking at the Arab League's annual summit on heads of state in Qatar which Mr Bashir is attending.He was speaking at the Arab League's annual summit on heads of state in Qatar which Mr Bashir is attending.
The summit is also expected to discuss Iran's influence in the Middle East, and Israel's new government.The summit is also expected to discuss Iran's influence in the Middle East, and Israel's new government.
A number of countries are concerned about Iran's influence in the region, particularly its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and for Hamas in the Gaza Strip.A number of countries are concerned about Iran's influence in the region, particularly its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and for Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Splits among the Arab league nations have become glaring, says the BBC's Katya Adler who is in Doha, over Arab nations' differing attitudes to internal Palestinian divisions between Western-leaning Fateh and Iranian-sponsored Hamas.
SUMMIT FACTS 17 out of 22 heads of state attendingPresident Hosni Mubarack of Egypt is absentPresident Omar al-Bashir is flouting an ICC arrest warrant to attendUN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is attendingIran is not a member of the organisation Regional rifts stymie Arab summit SUMMIT FACTS 17 out of 22 heads of state attendingPresident Hosni Mubarack of Egypt is absentPresident Omar al-Bashir is flouting an ICC arrest warrant to attendUN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is attendingIran is not a member of the organisation Regional rifts stymie Arab summit
She says Western-backed Sunni nations fear the spread of Iranian influence - in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq and amongst marginalised Shia communities in the Gulf States - and are suspicious of those they regard as Iran's Arab friends, such as Syria and Qatar.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is attending the two-day summit, criticised Sudan's decision to expel aid agencies in Darfur taken after the International Criminal Court arrest warrant was issued.United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who is attending the two-day summit, criticised Sudan's decision to expel aid agencies in Darfur taken after the International Criminal Court arrest warrant was issued.
"Relief efforts should not become politicised," he said."Relief efforts should not become politicised," he said.
In other remarks, President Assad said the Arab Middle East peace initiative launched in 2002 was ineffective because the Arabs did not have a real peace partner in Israel. Qatar has not signed the ICC charter, which obliges member states to arrest indictees on their territory.
Many African states, along with Sudan's key ally China, have called for the ICC proceedings to be suspended, arguing it will hamper efforts to bring peace to Darfur.
'Usurped rights'
In other opening remarks, President Assad said the Arab Middle East peace initiative launched in 2002 was ineffective because the Arabs did not have a real peace partner in Israel.
"Peace for the Israelis is no more than a tactical option being used as a cover-up for their long-term objectives based on the principle of not returning our usurped rights," the Syrian president said."Peace for the Israelis is no more than a tactical option being used as a cover-up for their long-term objectives based on the principle of not returning our usurped rights," the Syrian president said.
One notable absentee is President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; correspondents say he's unhappy with Qatar's stance during the recent Gaza conflict.One notable absentee is President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt; correspondents say he's unhappy with Qatar's stance during the recent Gaza conflict.