The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, The Hague

International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is expected on Monday to seek the arrest of Sudan President Omar al-Beshir, despite warnings the move could impact on the crisis in Darfur.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in an interview he was "very worried" by the possibility of Beshir's indictment, which would be the first of a sitting head of state by the ICC.

"It would have very serious consequences for peacekeeping operations including the political process," he told Le Figaro newspaper. "I'm very worried, but nobody can evade justice." The US State Department has confirmed newspaper reports that Moreno-Ocampo will name the Sudanese leader when he unveils evidence to the court in a new case involving crimes in the country's war-stricken western Darfur region.

The prosecutor's office announced last Thursday he would present evidence and name suspects Monday for "crimes committed in the whole of Darfur over the last five years", but has so far refused to confirm Beshir would be targeted.

Khartoum, which rejects the ICC's jurisdiction and refuses to surrender two war crimes suspects already named, has warned the move could threaten peace efforts.

"If there is a decision about President Beshir, it may destroy the peace process," state minister for foreign affairs Al-Samani al-Wasila told AFP last week.

Arab and African leaders have also warned of the consequences.

The African Union's Peace and Security Council "expressed its strong conviction that the search for justice should be pursued in a way that does not impede or jeopardize efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace."