The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, El Geneina

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, charged with genocide and war crimes in Darfur, vowed Thursday to work for peace in the war-wracked desert region and the return of hundreds of thousands of people forced by attacks to flee their homes.

Al-Bashir was speaking at an outdoor rally attended by several thousand supporters in the town of El Geneina in the far western part of Darfur.

The longtime Sudanese leader has been casting himself as a peacemaker since arriving in Darfur, nine days after an international prosecutor filed genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity charges against him.