ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - The chairman of an African Union panel says genocide charges against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir could "lead to a lot of danger."
Former Algerian president Ahmed Ben Bella says the charges could be "an unconstitutional way of pushing aside a head of state."
He leads the "Panel of the Wise," which is tasked with promoting efforts to prevent conflict in Africa.
Meanwhile, Syria's foreign minister says the charges against Sudan's president would set a dangerous new precedent and hurt peace efforts in Darfur.
The International Criminal Court is seeking an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on charges of waging a campaign of genocide and rape in Darfur.
It is the first time prosecutors at the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal have issued charges against a sitting head of state.
