Sudan president making trip abroad despite arrest warrant

Sudan's president traveled to Eritrea on Monday in his first trip abroad since an international court issued an arrest warrant against him on charges of war crimes in Darfur. Eritrean television aired live coverage of President Omar al-Bashir arriving at the Asmara airport to be greeted by his counterpart President Isaias Afwerki as well as drummers and dancers.

The Sudanese Media Center reported that the president had traveled to Eritrea in response to an invitation from Afwerki.

Under the charter of the ICC, member states are bound to arrest those indicted when they enter their territory. Eritrea is not a signatory, however, and has said it does not support the indictment.

Al-Bashir is also scheduled to attend the Arab League summit at the end of the month in Qatar.