Bashir heads Sudanese delegation at Arab Summit

The Sudanese president’s press advisor Emad Sayed Ahmed confirmed to Arabstoday the participation of President Omar al-Bashir in the 23rd Arab Summit in Iraq, noting that Bashir will travel to Iraq on Wednesday.   The Sudanese government revealed strict security measures were being taken to secure the visit, as a special delegation arrived in Iraq on Tuesday. The visit has been subject to heavy controversy against the backdrop of news broadcast by the Iraqi News Agency regarding a request submitted by the Iraqi Criminal Court to arrest Bashir on accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. The Iraqi Ambassador to Khartoum, Saleh Tamimi, said earlier in an interview with Arabstoday that Iraq welcomes Bashir’s visit and that his participation at the Summit is important. He added that “Sudan is an active member of the Arab League.” Bashir held a telephone call last Monday with the Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, where some believe that the conversation might have addressed the arrangements of the visit  together with guarantees of his security in Baghdad. The Sudanese government said previously that Bashir’s external visits require arrangements from Sudan as well as from the host countries. Bashir’s visit to Baghdad comes in the midst of the escalating controversy with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Supporters of Bashir’s boycotting of the summit, say that his participation will be risky, particularly in light of the current situation in Iraq and the American influence there. Bashir has visited several states, ncludingQatar and Saudi Arabia, but his visit to Iraq is of special significance.