KHARTOUM, Apr 5, 2005 (Sudan Tribune) — A large demonstration was staged today in the Sudanese capital Khartoum over the UN resolution sanctioning the trial, by the International Criminal Court, of people suspected of war crimes in the western Darfur region.

Sudanese students demonstrate in Khartoum to protest a UN resolution referring individuals accused of war crimes in Darfur to the International Criminal Court. The crowd marched to the UN offices, chanting anti-American and anti-French slogans. (AFP).

The demonstration, which started at 0700 gmt and broadcast live by state TV, saw the participation of top government officials, civil society groups and ordinary Sudanese. A TV commentator termed the demonstration a "million-man march".

The demonstrators carried placards denouncing the UN resolution 1593. Some of the placards read "Down with the USA" and "We reject the unjust UN resolution 1593". The demonstrators made remarks critical of Kofi Annan, US President George Bush and his French counterpart Jacques Chirac. They trio were dismissed as "cowards". The demonstrators vowed to defend their country against what they termed "foreign interference".

The demonstration started at the Al- Shahid Grounds in central Khartoum after speeches by some pro-government politicians, civil society leaders. The protesters proceeded to the UN offices and British and French embassies where they handed over protest notes.

Among the senior government officials in attendance were Ibrahim Ahmad Omar, secretary-general of the ruling National Congress party, Information Minister Abdelbasit Sabdrat, and Interior Minister Maj-Gen Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.