United Nations chief Ban Ki-Moon has warned the Sudanese government against harming UN peacekeepers if the International Criminal Court (ICC) decides to indict President Omar al-Bashir on charges of genocide and war crimes arising out of the war in Darfur.

Amid speculation that the ICC's decision is imminent, Ban told a news conference in New York on Tuesday that it was "very important" for Bashir and his government "to react very responsibly and ensure the safety and security of the United Nations peacekeepers, and protect the human rights of all the population…"

According to a transcript of the news conference released by the UN, Ban said he had discussed the implications of the ICC's action with Bashir at the recent African Union summit in Addis Ababa. Ban stressed that he had no control over the ICC, but added that Bashir "should fully cooperate with whatever decisions that the ICC makes. This is a very important fundamental principle…"

Ban's warning was made as  members of Sudanese civil society argued over whether the handing down of an indictment would threaten peace in the country. The ICC prosecutor's request for an indictment has dramatically changed the Sudanese political scene, a  report from the the British think tank Chatham House  said recently.