THE HAGUE (AFP) — International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo is expected on Monday to seek the arrest of Sudan President Omar al-Beshir, despite warnings the move could impact on the crisis in Darfur.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in an interview he was “very worried” by the possibility of Beshir’s indictment, which would be the first of a sitting head of state by the ICC.

“It would have very serious consequences for peacekeeping operations including the political process,” he told Le Figaro newspaper. “I’m very worried, but nobody can evade justice.”

The US State Department has confirmed newspaper reports that Moreno-Ocampo will name the Sudanese leader when he unveils evidence to the court in a new case involving crimes in the country’s war-stricken western Darfur region.

The prosecutor’s office announced last Thursday he would present evidence and name suspects Monday for “crimes committed in the whole of Darfur over the last five years”, but has so far refused to confirm Beshir would be targeted.

Khartoum, which rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction and refuses to surrender two war crimes suspects already named, has warned the move could threaten peace efforts.

“If there is a decision about President Beshir, it may destroy the peace process,” state minister for foreign affairs Al-Samani al-Wasila told AFP last week.

Arab and African leaders have also warned of the consequences.

The African Union’s Peace and Security Council “expressed its strong conviction that the search for justice should be pursued in a way that does not impede or jeopardize efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace.”

The Arab League said it would hold crisis talks on Sudan, while the Organisation of the Islamic Conference warned of “grave ramifications”.

As Darfur rebel groups welcomed the news, China’s UN ambassador said that plans to issue a warrant for Beshir would put peace prospects “in jeopardy”.

About 1,000 demonstrators rallied in Khartoum Sunday, denouncing the anticipated charges at a government-sponsored protest as Beshir chaired an emergency cabinet meeting.

Western embassies have advised nationals to limit unnecessary travel and the United Nations has stepped up its security levels amid fears that the ICC prosecutor’s move could spark violent retaliation.

Western officials fear Sudan could expel members of the United Nations and African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, or aid groups. Contingency plans have been made for an evacuation and non-essential staff have been told to stay at home on Monday.

Fears have also been voiced that naming Beshir could embolden Darfur rebels who attacked Khartoum in May.

On Tuesday last week, seven UN peacekeepers were killed and 22 were wounded in the ambush of a UN convoy in Darfur that some blamed on state-backed militia.

The world body says up to 300,000 people have died since the Darfur conflict broke out in February 2003. The Sudanese government puts the death toll at 10,000.

The conflict began when African ethnic minority rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated regime and state-backed Arab militias, fighting for resources and power.

Moreno-Ocampo’s request for a warrant would mark the first ever bid by the ICC, based in The Hague, to charge a sitting head of state.

Judges would next examine the application to ascertain whether reasonable grounds existed to believe that a crime within the court’s jurisdiction had been committed, before deciding whether to issue a warrant or not.

This could take several months.