Русская версияSudan's President Omar al-Bashir is attending a summit of African leaders in Turkey, his first foreign trip since he was indicted on genocide charges.
The charges - also including war crimes and crimes against humanity - relate to the conflict in Darfur.
Last month, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor asked the court to issue an arrest warrant - though it has yet to do so.
However, Turkey does not recognise the international court.
Mr Bashir is attending a Turkey-Africa economic co-operation summit taking place at a palace on the Bosphorus Strait.
Turkey is keen to complete its membership of the African Development Bank Group, which would allow Turkish firms to compete for development contracts in Africa.
'Serious consequences'
On Monday, Turkey's foreign minister also requested that African nations back the country's bid for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council, pledging to become its "voice of Africa".
African and Arab states are pushing for the suspension of the court's indictment which they say could damage the path to peace in Sudan's troubled Darfur region.
Sudan has warned of "serious consequences" for UN staff and facilities based in the country if an arrest warrant is issued for its president.
ICC Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo sought an arrest warrant against Mr Bashir in July.
He accused Sudan's leader of running a campaign of genocide that killed 35,000 people outright, at least another 100,000 through a "slow death" and forced 2.5 million to flee their homes in Darfur.
Mr Bashir has said he is not worried by the accusations and his government has denied mobilising the Janjaweed militias, accused of widespread atrocities against Darfur's black African population.
The UN estimates that five years of conflict in Darfur have left 300,000 people dead and more than two million people homeless.
(BBC)
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