Bashir makes defiant Darfur tour

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EL FASHER, Sudan, Mar 8 (Reuters): Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir flew into Darfur Sunday to rally supporters in defiance of growing international criticism of his closure of 16 aid groups.

Sudan expelled 13 foreign aid groups and shut down three local organisations saying they helped the International Criminal Court (ICC), which last week issued an arrest warrant for Bashir over charges he masterminded atrocities in Darfur.

Bashir arrived in El Fasher, the capital of north Darfur, Sunday morning as government officials said the expulsion orders were "irreversible."

Foreign Ministry undersecretary Mutrif Siddig told the state Suna news agency the aid groups' cooperation with the court had been "proved by evidence."