The Associated Press

Wed, Dec 3, 2008 (9:15 a.m.)

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court cautions "it is time to be prepared" for reprisals in Darfur if he obtains a warrant to arrest the Sudanese president on genocide charges.

Luis Moreno-Ocampo told the Security Council on Wednesday that President Omar al-Bashir has been "inciting violence" over the charges by making direct threats against civilians and U.N. peacekeepers.

The prosecutor said these should be considered direct challenges against U.N. authority and "a confirmation of criminal intentions."

In July, he accused al-Bashir of orchestrating atrocities including rape and murder of civilians in refugee camps.