Sudan agrees to try Darfur rights violators at home

Cairo: Sudan has agreed to try anyone it suspects of crimes in Darfur in Sudanese courts and will allow the United Nations, African Union and Arab League to follow the proceedings, an Arab League official said on Tuesday.

The move appeared aimed am defusing a crisis over a decision by the International Criminal Court prosecutor to seek an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur.

But it would be up to Sudan to decide who to try, and Arab League official Hesham Youssef could not say if two Sudanese officials indicted by the ICC last year would face charges.

The crisis over the possible indictment has raised fears for the fragile peace process in Africa's biggest state.

"Sudan will be continuing its consideration of the violations of human rights and the crimes committed in Darfur," Youssef, chief of staff for Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa, told Reuters.

"Those who are accused would stand to be tried within this judiciary system," he added. "The individuals that will be facing trial would depend on the investigations that are conducted by the government."