Sudanese President returns to Khartoum after performoning Al-Hajj

December 13, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — The Sudanese President Omer hassan Al-Bashir returned today evening to Khartoum after performing the rituals of Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

This year the pilgrimage occurred from 6 to 10 December. But Al-Bashir spent three days in Al-Madinah Al-Manwara before his return to the country.

He was received at Khartoum Airport by his second deputy Ali Osman Mohamed Taha and a number of ministers.

He also received a cable of congratulations on occasion of Eid Al-Adha from the First Vice-President Salva Kiir who is currently in Juba.

During his religious visit to Saud Arabia, Al-Bashir met with the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

The International Criminal Court could issue an arrest warrant for the Sudanese President to face charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes perpetuated by his government in the war-torn region of Darfur since 2003.

The ICC judges who are studying the case are expected make their verdict soon. The French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke last week about “very little time.”

(ST)