Rebel group accuses Khartoum of planning riots

Khartoum: One of Darfur's main rebel groups accused Sudan's government on Monday of planning riots if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir for war crimes.

UN peacekeepers in Sudan are preparing for violence if the International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant and are worried by a military build-up along the Sudan-Chad border, a top official said on Monday.

UN peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy welcomed the government's reassurance that they will protect peacekeepers in southern Sudan and the joint UN-African Union mission in Darfur against "any negative impact" from a possible court decision.

Le Roy told a news conference that peacekeepers will not scale back activities when the decision is announced in The Hague.

China, the African Union and the Arab League have warned the indictment could destabilise the region and threaten a troubled peace deal between north Sudan and the semi-autonomous south.

However, Khalil Ebrahim, head of the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), said Al Bashir should hand himself over to the ICC and that his group would respond to any government orchestrated violence.

"They are planning demonstrations ... I expect there may be violence and crime. I warn the government that any such action will be met with counter-measures, even in Khartoum. Violence will be met with violence," Ebrahim said.

"Any loss of lives or property is their responsibility."

Some Western embassies have warned their citizens of the potential for violent protests if Al Bashir is charged.

JEM forces, which launched a surprise attack in May on Sudan's capital and the suburb of Omdurman, have offered to assist any effort to arrest Al Bashir.

"[Al] Bashir must go before the ICC, whether voluntarily or against his will," Ebrahim said.

Al Bashir dismisses the charges against him and refuses to recognise The Hague-based ICC, calling it part of a Western conspiracy.