SA denies plot to protect Bashir

South Africa's government has denied reports that ministers secretly plotted the departure of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir last week.

He faced the possibility of arrest because of an International Criminal Court warrant on charges of genocide.

The government argued that Bashir was covered by diplomatic immunity while he was at the summit.

South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper quotes a government source as saying that at a meeting of security ministers it was agreed that South Africa would protect Bashir "even if it meant flouting court rulings and undermining the constitution".

In a statement, the government "categorically denies there was a secret meeting" and adds that it will give the court an explanation of how Bashir came to leave the country.

The High Court has given the government until Thursday to reveal how he was allowed to depart.