DHAKA: A South African court has issued an interim order stopping Sudan’s leader Omar al-Bashir, who faces war crimes charges, from leaving the country.

The Pretoria High Court says Bashir must stay until it rules on Monday on whether he should be handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

President Bashir is in Johannesburg for an African Union (AU) summit, reports the BBC.

He is accused of committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide during the Darfur conflict.

Earlier president Bashir was welcomed by South African officials as he arrived in Johannesburg. After the court announced the hearing, he posed for a group photo with other African leaders.

The High Court initially said it would hear the request to have him attested on Sunday. But it later postponed the hearing until Monday - when the summit is due to end.

There are tensions between the ICC and the AU, with some on the continent accusing the court of unfairly targeting Africans. The AU has previously urged the ICC to stop proceedings against sitting leaders.

The warrants against Bashir, who denies the allegations, have severely restricted his overseas travel.

He has, however, visited friendly states in Africa and the Middle East.

BDST: 2101 HRS, JUN 14, 2015
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