The Sudanese Foreign Ministry denied Sunday news reports that a South African court had issued an arrest order against President Omar al Bashir, who is in Johannesburg for an ordinary African Union summit.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Ali al Sadeq said Bashir is participating in the AU summit sessions and had met with African leaders.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in 2009, accusing Bashir of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the conflict in Darfur.

He denies the charges.

South Africa is an ICC member state.