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DOHA, Qatar — Qatar’s leader embraced Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in a red- carpet welcome Sunday before an Arab summit in al-Bashir’s most brazen act of defiance against an international arrest warrant alleging war crimes in Darfur.
For host Qatar — a key U.S. ally that is home to American warplanes and more than 5,000 U.S. troops — the Arab League meeting beginning today also showcases its desire to stake out a prominent role in regional affairs even at the risk of angering the West.
Al-Bashir had promised to attend the 22-nation gathering after assurances from members that they would not enforce the International Criminal Court’s arrest order.
