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President Warns Of Escalation

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The Associated Press

Published: March 9, 2009

EL FASHER, Sudan - Sudan's president threatened to kick out more aid groups and expel diplomats and peacekeepers Sunday during his first trip to Darfur after an international court issued an arrest warrant against him for war crimes there.

Sudan has already expelled 13 of the largest aid groups operating in Darfur as part of its defiant response to the International Criminal Court's decision last week to indict him. Sudan has accused them of cooperating with the ICC.

The statements came as the Sudanese army announced it was moving toward putting its army on full alert by mobilizing three-quarters of its troops, according to the Sudan Media Center, a news agency with close links to the government.

"Those who respect themselves, we will respect them. Don't interfere in something that doesn't concern you," al-Bashir said in the North Darfur capital of El Fasher. "Don't do anything that would harm the country's security and stability. Whoever deviates, we will not let them stay, whether a voluntary organization, an envoy, a diplomatic mission or a security force."

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