Arab League, Which Defended Bashir From Charges Of Genocide, Condemns Qaddafi--Can You Guess Why?

Back in 2008, Luis Moreno-Ocampo--Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court--filed 10 charges of genocide and crimes against humanity against Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir in response to a campaign of extermination the U.N. daid had claimed 300,000 lives and driven 2.5 million people from their homes.

The Arab League defended Bashir against the genocide charges:

Arab League backs Sudan on genocide charges 

The Arab League on Saturday said that the genocide charges brought against Sudan's president by the prosecutor of the International Court are not acceptable and undermine that country's sovereignty. 

The 22-nation group also said after a one-day emergency council meeting on Saturday that only Sudanese courts have jurisdiction on such matters. The meeting focused on the charges brought against President Omar al-Bashir. The court is expected to decide within three months on whether to issue arrest warrants for any of the charges.

One would think that Qaddafi's killing of over 1,000 of his people might pale in comparison and receive a similar response from the Arab League--but no: in the case of Libya, the Arab League has taken notice:

The Arab League has said it may impose a "no fly" zone on Libya in co-ordination with the African Union if fighting continues in Libya.

Wednesday’s Arab League ministers' meeting in Cairo rejected any direct outside military intervention in Libya, where Muammar Gaddafi is trying to put down a revolt threatening his four decades in power. They reiterated their condemnation of his use of force.

The Arab resolution called on the Libyan government to respond to the "legitimate demands of the Libyan people" and to stop bloodshed. The Libyan authorities must lift restrictions on media and mobile networks and allow the delivery of aid.

Their resolution confirmed Libya's suspension from the organisation until it responded to demands such as allowing freedom of expression.

"The situation in Libya is sorrowful and it is not correct that we accept it or live with it," said Amr Moussa, the League's secretary general, speaking at the opening session.[emphasis added]

So why the more active response from the Arab League?

One reason could be that in this case, Western countries have begun to mobilize against Libya and their apparent seriousness has gotten the Arab League's attention.

But there is another, more cynical, possibility: Amr Moussa, the Arab League's secretary general, has announced he is planning to run in the Egyptian presidential election. How would it look to Egyptians if Moussa was perceived as being weak in responding to Egypt's fellow-protesters?

Politics at its finest.

Technorati Tag: Libya and Arab League and Amr Moussa.