EU objects to invitation to Bashir to summit in Libya

The European Union objected to the invitation extended to President Omar Al Bashir by the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to attend the Third Summit of the African countries and the European Union to be held in Libya on the 29 November. Bashir had received from Muammar Gaddafi last July an invitation to participate. An unnamed diplomat speaking to the Gulf Times said that the European Union had reservations about the presence of Al Bashir, who faces an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court. The diplomat said the European Union hinted that the presence in Tripoli of Al Bashir could affect their level of representation at the summit. He added that the impasse is likely to be resolved by Libya requesting Sudan to send another official instead of Bashir.