Beijing  - China on Thursday urged the International Criminal Court to suspend its case against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, expressing concern that it could worsen the situation in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region.

"China expresses its regret and concern over the arrest warrant for the Sudanese president issued by the International Criminal Court," said foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

"China opposes any action that could hamper efforts to realize peace in Darfur and in Sudan," Qin said in a statement posted on the ministry's website.

New York  - The British relief group Oxfam confirmed Wednesday that its license to operate in northern Sudan was revoked by the Sudanese government.

The United Nations reported six to 10 other groups had also lost their right to continue humanitarian work after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir.

Oxfam said it was appealing the decision, hoping for a quick resolution.

Sana'a, Yemen  - Yemen denounced the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, describing it as a "dangerous precedent."

In a statement carried by the official Saba news agency, an official source said Yemen "staunchly condemns" the arrest order that "sets a dangerous precedent of a flagrant interference in countries' internal affairs."

Cairo  - Officials gathered at the Arab League's headquarters in Cairo on Wednesday said they feared an international arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir could harm efforts to strike a peace deal in Darfur.

"We support the conduct of justice," Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said after an emergency meeting of the 22-member body to discuss the court's decision. "But we fear for the stability of Darfur."

The Hague  - The International Criminal Court (ICC) and its chief prosecutor went to great lengths on Wednesday to emphasize that Sudan is obligated, under international law, to arrest its President Omar al-Bashir and transfer him to The Hague.

In its official statement after announcing that the international arrest warrant has been issued, the ICC said if Sudan, which so far has defied United Nations resolutions to cooperate with the court, fails to arrest him, it would refer the case back to the UN Security Council.

Sudanese demonstrators were defiant, while the response was mixed around the world Wednesday to the International Criminal Court announcement that it was seeking the arrest of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on war crimes and crimes against humanity charges.

Thousands of al-Bashir's supporters rallied in the capital Khartoum, shouting "God is great" and "With our souls and our blood we defend you, al-Bashir." They also carried banners that read, "Shame, shame, (ICC chief prosecutor Luis Moreno) Ocampo is an ass."