Iran says Sudan leader's genocide charge "unpleasant"

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran viewed as "unpleasant" the International Criminal Court's decision to charge Sudan's president with genocide in Darfur, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo on Monday asked the court for an arrest warrant for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, accusing him of leading a campaign of genocide that has killed 35,000 people and displaced 2.5 million in Sudan's western region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Iran had always supported the "legitimate" government of Sudan led by Bashir.

"The selective approach of the Hague International Court on the Sudanese President is unpleasant," Iranian state news agency IRNA quoted Mottaki as saying.

Mottaki said putting international pressure on the Sudanese government would make the situation more complicated in the country.

"The Sudanese government can solve the crisis through talks among domestic groups involved in the issue," Mottaki said.

"International organizations' pressure on Sudanese leaders will be ineffective."

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Ibon Villelabeitia)