Moscow  - Warning about the danger of further instability in Sudan, Russia on Wednesday reacted with scepticism to the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

The ICC decision could further destabilize the situation in Sudan, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman warned, according to the Itar- Tass agency.

Mikhail Margelov, foreign policy spokesman for the Federation Council of Russia, commented that al-Bashir "must without a doubt answer for the crimes" in the Darfur.

But the timing of the arrest warrant could endanger the "recent positive dynamics" in the African country, he said. This could in turn have "terrible consequences" for humanitarian supplies.

Russia has 120 air force soldiers involved in the UN mission in Sudan. In the past, Moscow maintained good ties with Khartoum, selling arms to the leadership there. (dpa)